Post-Surgical Quality of Life After Laparoscopic Heller Myotomy with Fundoplication for the Treatment of Achalasia

In this study, we aim to determine the quality of life in patients with achalasia undergoing laparoscopic Heller myotomy with fundoplication after at least 6 months from surgery with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Health-Related Quality of Life questionnaire (GERD-HRQL). The study is a cohort study on forty-nine patients who were treated for achalasia between 2014 and 2021. Patients were eligible for the study if they had a minimum of 6-month follow-up after the LHM with fundoplication surgery. All the patients were asked to fill out GERD-HRQL and dysphagia questionnaires. Patients who did not cooperate with the research team were excluded from the study. Forty-six patients were enrolled in this study from 2013 to 2021. The mean ages of patients were 39.76 SD13.69, and 43.5% of them were men. The mean follow-up time for patients was 40.48 SD25.36 months after surgery. The mean GERD-HRQL score and mean dysphagia score were significantly decreased after at least 6 months of surgery (P-value < 0.001 for both). Patients with achalasia undergoing laparoscopic Heller myotomy with fundoplication experience a significant improvement in quality of life with high satisfaction.