Description

The Laparoscopic Heller myotomy is a laparoscopic (minimally invasive) surgical procedure used to treat achalasia. Achalasia is a disorder of the esophagus that makes it hard for foods and liquids to pass into the stomach. The Laparoscopic Heller myotomy is essentially an esophagomyotomy, the cutting the esophageal sphincter muscle, performed laparoscopically. The Laparoscopic Heller myotomy operation's success rate is very high and usually permanent. In the procedure of Laparoscopic Heller myotomy, several tiny incisions are made and a small scope inserted, through which miniature surgical instruments are passed. The scope is connected to a video camera which then sends a magnified image to a monitor, allowing the surgeon to envision the anatomy and manipulate the instruments.