da Vinci Surgery
 

Heller Myotomy

Your doctor may recommend surgery to treat achalasia. Achalasia surgery (esophagomyotomy) is most often done using laparoscopic (minimally invasive) surgery. This operation is called a Heller Myotomy. During the procedure, a laparoscope (a telescope-like instrument) and operating instruments are inserted through several small incisions made in the abdomen. Through the laparoscope, the esophageal sphincter muscle is cut. A hospital stay of one to two days is usually required. Traditional open surgery through a large incision into the chest or abdomen to cut the sphincter muscle requires up to one week in the hospital.

Surgery, laparoscopic or traditional open, to cut the esophageal sphincter muscle is successful about 90 percent of the time.1 If surgery is successful, the benefits are usually permanent. However, a small number of patients may need repeat treatment if the esophageal sphincter contracts or tears. Also, an additional procedure to wrap the upper stomach around the lower esophagus to prevent reflux of stomach content into the esophagus is sometimes done. If this is needed, it is usually done at the same time the sphincter muscle is cut.

da Vinci Surgery for Achalasia

If your doctor recommends surgery to treat achalasia, you may be a candidate for a safe, effective and minimally invasive procedure – da Vinci Surgery. Using the most advanced technology available, the da Vinci System enables your doctor to perform this delicate operation with breakthrough vision, precision and control.

da Vinci Heller Myotomy offers achalasia patients several potential benefits over traditional open and laparoscopic surgery, including:

  • Lower risk of esophageal tears (perforations)2,3
  • Fewer complications2,3
  • Safer and more precise2,3

This procedure is performed using the da Vinci Surgical System, a state-of-the-art surgical platform. By overcoming the limits of both traditional open and laparoscopic surgery, da Vinci is changing the experience of surgery for people around the world.

As with any surgery, these benefits cannot be guaranteed since surgery is specific to each patient, condition and procedure. It is important to talk to your doctor about all treatment options, including the risks and benefits. This information can help you make the best decision for your situation.

While clinical studies support the effectiveness of the da Vinci Surgical System when used in minimally invasive surgery, individual results may vary. There are no guarantees of outcome. All surgeries involve the risk of major complications. Before you decide on surgery, discuss treatment options with your doctor. Understanding the risks of each treatment can help you make the best decision for your individual situation. Surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System may not be appropriate for every individual; it may not be applicable to your condition. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits. Only your doctor can determine whether da Vinci Surgery is appropriate for your situation. The clinical information and opinions, including any inaccuracies expressed in this material by patients or doctors about da Vinci Surgery, are not necessarily those of Intuitive Surgical, Inc. and should not be considered as substitute for medical advice provided by your doctor. © 2010 Intuitive Surgical. All rights reserved.

  1. Achalasia Treatment; Mayo Clinic, www.mayoclinic.org, URL: http://www.mayoclinic.org/achalasia/treatment.html
  2. Horgan S, Galvani C, Gorodner MV, et al.; Robotic-Assisted Heller Myotomy Versus Laparoscopic Heller Myotomy for the Treatment of Esophageal Achalasia: Multicenter Study; J Gastrointest Surg 2005; 9:1020-1030 The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract.
  3. Huffmanm LC, Pandalai PK, Boulton BJ, et al.; Robotic Heller myotomy: A safe operation with higher postoperative quality-of-life indices; 2007 Surgery, 142 (4), pp. 613-620.

PN 873871 Rev A 06/10

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