Esophageal achalasia: Preoperative assessment and postoperative follow-up

A complete preoperative evaluation is a key element of a successful operation. With experience, the number of patients with persistent dysphagia due to technical factors decreases. In our experience, the incidence of postoperative dysphagia was 2 3 % among 43 patients operated on between 1991 and 1994 but only 3% among 12.5 patients who had a laparoscopic Heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication between 1995 and 1998. Close follow-up is of paramount importance to identify and treat appropriately patients with recurrent dysphagia.