Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 10/2014

01-10-2014 | Review Article

From Heller to POEM (1914–2014): A 100-Year History of Surgery for Achalasia

Authors: P. Marco Fisichella, Marco G. Patti

Published in: Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery | Issue 10/2014

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

The year 2014 marks the 100th anniversary of Dr. Heller’s description of the surgical treatment of patients with achalasia with a cardiomyotomy. This 100-year-old operation, which is today performed laparoscopically with the addition of a partial fundoplication, is considered the treatment of choice for patients with achalasia.

Purpose

Our goals are to revisit the accounts from the beginning of the twentieth century in which surgeons tried to identify the pathophysiology of achalasia and proposed several operative techniques and to follow the evolution of the surgical treatment until modern days.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Moersch HJ. Cardiospasm: Diagnosis and Treatment. Ann Surg. 1933 Aug;98(2):232-8 Moersch HJ. Cardiospasm: Diagnosis and Treatment. Ann Surg. 1933 Aug;98(2):232-8
2.
go back to reference Willis T. Pharmaceutice Rationalis Sive Diatribe de medicamntorum Operationibus in Human Corpore. London, England: Hagae Comitis; 1674 Willis T. Pharmaceutice Rationalis Sive Diatribe de medicamntorum Operationibus in Human Corpore. London, England: Hagae Comitis; 1674
3.
go back to reference Clark C. Cardiospasm. Can Med Assoc J. 1927 Dec;17(12):1445-8. Clark C. Cardiospasm. Can Med Assoc J. 1927 Dec;17(12):1445-8.
4.
go back to reference Jackson C. The Diaphragmatic Pinchcock in So-called Cardiospasm. Laryngoscope 1922;32:139 Jackson C. The Diaphragmatic Pinchcock in So-called Cardiospasm. Laryngoscope 1922;32:139
5.
go back to reference Weber FP. Spasmodic stricture of the oesophagus (Cardiospasm), with fusiform dilatation above it. Proc R Soc Med. 1914;7(Clin Sect):147-51 Weber FP. Spasmodic stricture of the oesophagus (Cardiospasm), with fusiform dilatation above it. Proc R Soc Med. 1914;7(Clin Sect):147-51
6.
go back to reference Hertz AF. Achalasia of the Cardia (so-called Cardio-spasm). Proc R Soc Med. 1915;8(Clin Sect):22-5 Hertz AF. Achalasia of the Cardia (so-called Cardio-spasm). Proc R Soc Med. 1915;8(Clin Sect):22-5
7.
go back to reference Rake AT. Achalasia and Degeneration of Auerbach's Plexus. Proc R Soc Med. 1928 Sep;21(11):1775-7 Rake AT. Achalasia and Degeneration of Auerbach's Plexus. Proc R Soc Med. 1928 Sep;21(11):1775-7
8.
go back to reference Greenwood HH. Cardiospasm. Br Med J. 1928 Nov 24;2(3542):932-4 Greenwood HH. Cardiospasm. Br Med J. 1928 Nov 24;2(3542):932-4
9.
go back to reference Freeman L. An operation for the relief of cardiospasm associated with dilatation and tortuosity of the oesophagus. Ann Surg. 1923 Aug;78(2):173-5. Freeman L. An operation for the relief of cardiospasm associated with dilatation and tortuosity of the oesophagus. Ann Surg. 1923 Aug;78(2):173-5.
10.
go back to reference Miculicz J. Zur pathologie und therapie d. cardiospasmus. Deutsche Med. Wochenschr., 1904;30:17CrossRef Miculicz J. Zur pathologie und therapie d. cardiospasmus. Deutsche Med. Wochenschr., 1904;30:17CrossRef
11.
go back to reference W Wendel. Zur Chirurgie des Oesophagus. Arch Klin Chir, 1910;93:311 W Wendel. Zur Chirurgie des Oesophagus. Arch Klin Chir, 1910;93:311
12.
go back to reference Heller E. Extramukose Kardiaplastik beim chronischen kardiospasmus mit dilatation des oesophagus. Mitt Grenzgeb Med Chir. 1914;27:141-149. Heller E. Extramukose Kardiaplastik beim chronischen kardiospasmus mit dilatation des oesophagus. Mitt Grenzgeb Med Chir. 1914;27:141-149.
13.
go back to reference Heller E. Verhandl. D. Deutschen Gesellsch. F. Chir., 1921 Bd. Xlv, S. 144. Heller E. Verhandl. D. Deutschen Gesellsch. F. Chir., 1921 Bd. Xlv, S. 144.
14.
go back to reference Watts SH. Ann Surg. Cardioplasty for Cardiospasm. 1923 Aug;78(2):164-72 Watts SH. Ann Surg. Cardioplasty for Cardiospasm. 1923 Aug;78(2):164-72
15.
go back to reference Zaaijer JH. Cardiospasm in the aged. Ann Surg. 1923 May;77(5):615-7 Zaaijer JH. Cardiospasm in the aged. Ann Surg. 1923 May;77(5):615-7
16.
go back to reference Maingot R. Extramucous Oesophagocardiomyotomy in Cardiospasm. Postgrad Med J. 1944 Oct;20(227):278-82. Maingot R. Extramucous Oesophagocardiomyotomy in Cardiospasm. Postgrad Med J. 1944 Oct;20(227):278-82.
17.
go back to reference Maingot R. The surgery of cardiospasm. Postgrad Med J. 1949 May;25(283):197-202 Maingot R. The surgery of cardiospasm. Postgrad Med J. 1949 May;25(283):197-202
18.
go back to reference Kay EB. Surgical treatment of Cardiospasm. Ann Surg. 1948 Jan;127(1):34-9 Kay EB. Surgical treatment of Cardiospasm. Ann Surg. 1948 Jan;127(1):34-9
19.
go back to reference Wangesteen OH. A physiologic operation for mega-esophagus: (dystonia, cardiospasm, achalasia). Ann Surg. 1951 Sep;134(3):301-18. Wangesteen OH. A physiologic operation for mega-esophagus: (dystonia, cardiospasm, achalasia). Ann Surg. 1951 Sep;134(3):301-18.
20.
go back to reference Dor J, Humbert P, Dor V, Figarella J. L'interet de la technique de Nissen modifiee dans la prevention de reflux apres cardiomyotomie extramuqueuse de Heller. Mem Acad Chir (Paris) 1962;88:877–883. Dor J, Humbert P, Dor V, Figarella J. L'interet de la technique de Nissen modifiee dans la prevention de reflux apres cardiomyotomie extramuqueuse de Heller. Mem Acad Chir (Paris) 1962;88:877–883.
21.
go back to reference Dor J, Humbert P, Paoli JM, Noirclerc M, Aubert J. Traitment du reflux par la technique dite de Heller-Nissen modifiee. La Presse Medicale 1967; 75)50):2562-5 Dor J, Humbert P, Paoli JM, Noirclerc M, Aubert J. Traitment du reflux par la technique dite de Heller-Nissen modifiee. La Presse Medicale 1967; 75)50):2562-5
22.
go back to reference Toupet A. Tehnique d'oesophago-gastroplastie avec phrenicogastropexie appliquee dan la cure radicale des hernias hiatales et comme complement de l'operation d'Heller dans les cardiospasmes. Mem Acad Chir (Paris) 1963;89:394–399. Toupet A. Tehnique d'oesophago-gastroplastie avec phrenicogastropexie appliquee dan la cure radicale des hernias hiatales et comme complement de l'operation d'Heller dans les cardiospasmes. Mem Acad Chir (Paris) 1963;89:394–399.
23.
go back to reference Montupet P. Laparoscopic Fundoplication According to Toupet. In: Endoscopic Surgery in Infants and Children Eds. Bax K, Georgeson K, Rothenberg S, Valla JS, Yeung CK. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. Pages: 261-266 Montupet P. Laparoscopic Fundoplication According to Toupet. In: Endoscopic Surgery in Infants and Children Eds. Bax K, Georgeson K, Rothenberg S, Valla JS, Yeung CK. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. Pages: 261-266
24.
go back to reference Ellis FH Jr, Kiser JC, Schlegel JF, Earlam RJ, McVey JL, Olsen AM. Esophagomyotomy for esophageal achalasia: experimental, clinical, and manometric aspects. Ann Surg. 1967 Oct;166(4):640-56. Ellis FH Jr, Kiser JC, Schlegel JF, Earlam RJ, McVey JL, Olsen AM. Esophagomyotomy for esophageal achalasia: experimental, clinical, and manometric aspects. Ann Surg. 1967 Oct;166(4):640-56.
25.
go back to reference Csendes A, Braghetto I, Mascaro J, Henriquez A. Late subjective and objective evaluation of the results of esophagomyotomy in 100 patients with achalasia of the esophagus. Surgery 1988;104:469–475PubMed Csendes A, Braghetto I, Mascaro J, Henriquez A. Late subjective and objective evaluation of the results of esophagomyotomy in 100 patients with achalasia of the esophagus. Surgery 1988;104:469–475PubMed
26.
go back to reference Bonavina L, Nosadini A, Bardini R, Baessato M, Peracchia A. Primary treatment of esophageal achalasia. Long-term results of myotomy and Dor fundoplication. Arch Surg. 1992 Feb;127(2):222-6; Bonavina L, Nosadini A, Bardini R, Baessato M, Peracchia A. Primary treatment of esophageal achalasia. Long-term results of myotomy and Dor fundoplication. Arch Surg. 1992 Feb;127(2):222-6;
27.
go back to reference Shimi S, Nathanson LK, Cuschieri A. Laparoscopic cardiomyotomy for achalasia. J R Coll Surg Edinb. 1991 Jun;36(3):152-4 Shimi S, Nathanson LK, Cuschieri A. Laparoscopic cardiomyotomy for achalasia. J R Coll Surg Edinb. 1991 Jun;36(3):152-4
28.
go back to reference Pellegrini C, Wetter LA, Patti M, Leichter R, Mussan G, Mori T, Bernstein G, Way L. Thoracoscopic esophagomyotomy. Initial experience with a new approach for the treatment of achalasia. Ann Surg. 1992 Sep;216(3):291-6 Pellegrini C, Wetter LA, Patti M, Leichter R, Mussan G, Mori T, Bernstein G, Way L. Thoracoscopic esophagomyotomy. Initial experience with a new approach for the treatment of achalasia. Ann Surg. 1992 Sep;216(3):291-6
29.
go back to reference Patti MG, Arcerito M, De Pinto M, Feo CV, Tong J, Gantert W, Way LW. Comparison of thoracoscopic and laparoscopic Heller myotomy for achalasia. J Gastrointest Surg. 1998 Nov-Dec;2(6):561-6 Patti MG, Arcerito M, De Pinto M, Feo CV, Tong J, Gantert W, Way LW. Comparison of thoracoscopic and laparoscopic Heller myotomy for achalasia. J Gastrointest Surg. 1998 Nov-Dec;2(6):561-6
30.
go back to reference Bonavina L, Rosati R, Segalin A, Peracchia A. Laparoscopic Heller-Dor operation for the treatment of oesophageal achalasia: technique and early results. Ann Chir Gynaecol. 1995 Bonavina L, Rosati R, Segalin A, Peracchia A. Laparoscopic Heller-Dor operation for the treatment of oesophageal achalasia: technique and early results. Ann Chir Gynaecol. 1995
31.
go back to reference Ancona E, Anselmino M, Zaninotto GE, Constantini M, Rossi M, Bonavina L, Boccu C, Buin F, Peracchia A. Esophageal achalasia: laparoscopic versus conventional open Heller-Dor operation. Am J Surg 1995;170:265–270PubMedCrossRef Ancona E, Anselmino M, Zaninotto GE, Constantini M, Rossi M, Bonavina L, Boccu C, Buin F, Peracchia A. Esophageal achalasia: laparoscopic versus conventional open Heller-Dor operation. Am J Surg 1995;170:265–270PubMedCrossRef
32.
go back to reference Wright AS, Williams CW, Pellegrini CA, Oelschlager BK. Long-term outcomes confirm the superior efficacy of extended Heller myotomy with Toupet fundoplication for achalasia. Surg Endosc. 2007 May;21(5):713-8. Wright AS, Williams CW, Pellegrini CA, Oelschlager BK. Long-term outcomes confirm the superior efficacy of extended Heller myotomy with Toupet fundoplication for achalasia. Surg Endosc. 2007 May;21(5):713-8.
33.
go back to reference Richards WO, Torquati A, Holzman MD, Khaitan L, Byrne D, Lutfi R, Sharp KW. Heller myotomy versus Heller myotomy with Dor fundoplication for achalasia: a prospective randomized double-blind clinical trial. Ann Surg. 2004 Sep;240(3):405-12 Richards WO, Torquati A, Holzman MD, Khaitan L, Byrne D, Lutfi R, Sharp KW. Heller myotomy versus Heller myotomy with Dor fundoplication for achalasia: a prospective randomized double-blind clinical trial. Ann Surg. 2004 Sep;240(3):405-12
34.
go back to reference Rawlings A, Soper N, Oelschlager B, Swanstrom L, Matthews BD, Pellegrini C, Pierce RA, Pryor A, Martin V, Frisella MM, Cassera M, Brunt LM. Laparoscopic Dor versus Toupet Fundoplication following Heller Myotomy for Achalasia: Results of a Multicenter, Prospective Randomized-Controlled Trial. Surg Endosc. 2012 Jan;26(1):18-26 Rawlings A, Soper N, Oelschlager B, Swanstrom L, Matthews BD, Pellegrini C, Pierce RA, Pryor A, Martin V, Frisella MM, Cassera M, Brunt LM. Laparoscopic Dor versus Toupet Fundoplication following Heller Myotomy for Achalasia: Results of a Multicenter, Prospective Randomized-Controlled Trial. Surg Endosc. 2012 Jan;26(1):18-26
35.
go back to reference Rebecchi F, Giaccone C, Farinella E, Campaci R, Morino M. Randomized controlled trial of laparoscopic Heller myotomy plus Dor fundoplication versus Nissen fundoplication for achalasia: long-term results. Ann Surg. 2008 Dec;248(6):1023-30. Rebecchi F, Giaccone C, Farinella E, Campaci R, Morino M. Randomized controlled trial of laparoscopic Heller myotomy plus Dor fundoplication versus Nissen fundoplication for achalasia: long-term results. Ann Surg. 2008 Dec;248(6):1023-30.
36.
go back to reference Stefanidis D, Richardson W, Farrell TM, Kohn GP, Augenstein V, Fanelli RD; Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons. SAGES guidelines for the surgical treatment of esophageal achalasia. Surg Endosc. 2012 Feb;26(2):296-311 Stefanidis D, Richardson W, Farrell TM, Kohn GP, Augenstein V, Fanelli RD; Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons. SAGES guidelines for the surgical treatment of esophageal achalasia. Surg Endosc. 2012 Feb;26(2):296-311
37.
go back to reference Horgan S, Galvani C, Gorodner MV, Omelanczuck P, Elli F, Moser F, Durand L, Caracoche M, Nefa J, Bustos S, Donahue P, Ferraina P. Robotic-assisted Heller myotomy versus laparoscopic Heller myotomy for the treatment of esophageal achalasia: multicenter study. J Gastrointest Surg. 2005 Nov;9(8):1020-9 Horgan S, Galvani C, Gorodner MV, Omelanczuck P, Elli F, Moser F, Durand L, Caracoche M, Nefa J, Bustos S, Donahue P, Ferraina P. Robotic-assisted Heller myotomy versus laparoscopic Heller myotomy for the treatment of esophageal achalasia: multicenter study. J Gastrointest Surg. 2005 Nov;9(8):1020-9
38.
go back to reference Huffmanm LC, Pandalai PK, Boulton BJ, James L, Starnes SL, Reed MF, Howington JA, Nussbaum MS. Robotic Heller myotomy: a safe operation with higher postoperative quality-of-life indices. Surgery. 2007 Oct;142(4):613-8. Huffmanm LC, Pandalai PK, Boulton BJ, James L, Starnes SL, Reed MF, Howington JA, Nussbaum MS. Robotic Heller myotomy: a safe operation with higher postoperative quality-of-life indices. Surgery. 2007 Oct;142(4):613-8.
39.
go back to reference Barry L, Ross S, Dahal S, Morton C, Okpaleke C, Rosas M, Rosemurgy AS. Laparoendoscopic single-site Heller myotomy with anterior fundoplication for achalasia. Surg Endosc. 2011 Jun;25(6):1766-74 Barry L, Ross S, Dahal S, Morton C, Okpaleke C, Rosas M, Rosemurgy AS. Laparoendoscopic single-site Heller myotomy with anterior fundoplication for achalasia. Surg Endosc. 2011 Jun;25(6):1766-74
40.
go back to reference Inoue H, Minami H, Kobayashi Y, et al. Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for esophageal achalasia. Endoscopy. 2010;42(4):265-271.PubMedCrossRef Inoue H, Minami H, Kobayashi Y, et al. Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for esophageal achalasia. Endoscopy. 2010;42(4):265-271.PubMedCrossRef
41.
go back to reference Ren Z, Zhong Y, Zhou P, et al. Perioperative management and treatment for complications during and after peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for esophageal achalasia (EA) (data from 119 cases). Surg Endosc. 2012;26(11):3267-3272.PubMedCrossRef Ren Z, Zhong Y, Zhou P, et al. Perioperative management and treatment for complications during and after peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for esophageal achalasia (EA) (data from 119 cases). Surg Endosc. 2012;26(11):3267-3272.PubMedCrossRef
42.
go back to reference Swanstrom LL, Kurian A, Dunst CM, Sharata A, Bhayani N, Rieder E. Long-term outcomes of an endoscopic myotomy for achalasia: the POEM procedure. Ann Surg. 2012 Oct;256(4):659-67 Swanstrom LL, Kurian A, Dunst CM, Sharata A, Bhayani N, Rieder E. Long-term outcomes of an endoscopic myotomy for achalasia: the POEM procedure. Ann Surg. 2012 Oct;256(4):659-67
43.
go back to reference Von Renteln D, Fuchs KH, Fockens P, Bauerfeind P, Vassiliou MC, Werner YB, Fried G, Breithaupt W, Heinrich H, Bredenoord AJ, Kersten JF, Verlaan T, Trevisonno M, Rösch T. Peroral endoscopic myotomy for the treatment of achalasia: an international prospective multicenter study. Gastroenterology. 2013 Aug;145(2):309-11.e1-3 Von Renteln D, Fuchs KH, Fockens P, Bauerfeind P, Vassiliou MC, Werner YB, Fried G, Breithaupt W, Heinrich H, Bredenoord AJ, Kersten JF, Verlaan T, Trevisonno M, Rösch T. Peroral endoscopic myotomy for the treatment of achalasia: an international prospective multicenter study. Gastroenterology. 2013 Aug;145(2):309-11.e1-3
44.
go back to reference Bhayani NH, Kurian AA, Dunst CM, Sharata AM, Rieder E, Swanstrom LL. A Comparative Study on Comprehensive, Objective Outcomes of Laparoscopic Heller Myotomy With Per-Oral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) for Achalasia. Ann Surg. 2013 Oct 28. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 24169175 Bhayani NH, Kurian AA, Dunst CM, Sharata AM, Rieder E, Swanstrom LL. A Comparative Study on Comprehensive, Objective Outcomes of Laparoscopic Heller Myotomy With Per-Oral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) for Achalasia. Ann Surg. 2013 Oct 28. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 24169175
Metadata
Title
From Heller to POEM (1914–2014): A 100-Year History of Surgery for Achalasia
Authors
P. Marco Fisichella
Marco G. Patti
Publication date
01-10-2014
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery / Issue 10/2014
Print ISSN: 1091-255X
Electronic ISSN: 1873-4626
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-014-2547-8

Other articles of this Issue 10/2014

Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 10/2014 Go to the issue