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

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Abstract 

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.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge all the study participants for their cooperation. We would also acknowledge the research committee of Imam Reza Hospital.

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Correspondence to Saeed Moghaddam Zadeh.

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The study was approved by the ethics committee of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (IR.MUMS.MEDICAL.REC.1399.528).

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Rezapanah, A., Zandbaf, T., Dalili, A. et al. Post-Surgical Quality of Life After Laparoscopic Heller Myotomy with Fundoplication for the Treatment of Achalasia. Indian J Surg 85, 1081–1085 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12262-022-03640-9

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