Experience of minimally invasive surgery for esophageal motility disorders in Korea

Purpose: To understand the usefulness of minimally invasive surgery in the treatment of esophageal motility disorders. Materials and Methods:This study retrospectively assessed the medical records and surgical outcomes of nine patients who underwent minimally invasive surgery for esophageal motility disorders.Results: Data from 5 patients with achalasia, 3 with esophageal diverticulum, and one with esophageal motility disorder not otherwise specified (NOS).In achalasia, laparoscopic Heller myotomy with anterior or posterior partial fundoplication was performed.In esophageal diverticulum, laparoscopic transhiatal diverticulectomy, myotomy, and anterior partial fundoplication were performed.In one patient with esophageal motility disorder NOS, laparoscopic transmediastinal esophagectomy was performed for end-stage motility disorder.There was one case of postoperative complication, minor leakage of the staple line, in the patient with esophageal diverticulum; however, no postoperative mortality occurred.After surgery, dysphagia resolved or improved in all patients.Conclusions: Minimally invasive surgery is an effective treatment option for esophageal motility disorders.More attention should be paid to this disorder by Korean foregut surgeons.