Thoracoscopic esophagectomy was effective in a case of lower esophageal stenosis due to recurrence of achalasia after myotomy 40 years previously

When planning surgery for achalasia, it is important to plan for adequate myotomy and prevention of reflux. However, achalasia may recur if the procedure was inadequate or in patients with a long-term course. The present case is a 68-year-old woman who underwent myotomy of the lower esophageal sphincter 40 years ago, but recently reported difficulty in swallowing. Dilatation of the thoracic esophagus and stenosis of the abdominal esophagus were identified by examination, and the patient was diagnosed with recurrence of achalasia. After percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy was performed to recover nutritional status, thoracoscopic esophagectomy was carried out. The patient'spost-operative course was uneventful and oral intake was enabled. At the time of writing, there has been no re-recurrence. There is no standard therapy for post-operative recurrence of achalasia. We believe that thoracoscopic esophagectomy for the recurrence of achalasia is a safe and minimally invasive alternative to conventional surgery.

症例報告(Case Reports)