Unusual Case

Laparoscopic Heller’s cardiomyotomy in with oesophageal varices

Abhay N Dalvi, Pinky M Thapar, Nitin M Narawane1, Rippan N Shukla Departments of Minimal Invasive Surgery and 1Gastroenterology, Jupiter Hospital, Thane, Maharashtra, India.

Address for correspondence: Dr. Abhay N Dalvi, 257 Walkeshwar Road, Mumbai-400 006, India. E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract in the presence of varices is technically challenging. Bleeding obscuring the vision is one of the obstacles Surgical intervention in cirrhosis of liver with of this procedure that can lead to complication is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. This is attributed to of oesophageal mucosal perforation. Thorough liver decompensation, intra-operative bleeding, pre-operative investigations, planning, meticulous prolonged operative time, wound related and dissection are required to tackle this problem by a anaesthesia complications. Laparoscopic surgery laparoscopic approach. PUBMED search shows no in cirrhosis is advantageous but is associated with reported case of laparoscopic cardiomyotomy in patient technical challenges. We report one such case of cirrhosis with oesophageal varices. of C cirrhosis with oesophageal varices and symptomatic achalasia cardia, who was successfully treated by laparoscopic cardiomyotomy CASE REPORT after thorough preoperative workup and planning. In the review of literature on pubmed, no such case A 53-year-old lady was referred to us for surgical is reported.. management of achalasia cardia. In the past, she had sustained severe (30 years ago) for which Key words: Achalasia, cirrhosis, , laparoscopic cardiomyotomy. she was transfused 2 units of blood. She developed jaundice 25 years ago which responded to medical DOI: 10.4103/0972-9941.65164 management. Since 6 years, she had progressive to liquids and solids associated with weight loss and nocturnal cough. She underwent oesophageal INTRODUCTION manometry and upper GI endoscopy 2 years ago and was diagnosed to have achalasia cardia. Apart from classical Cirrhosis of liver with portal hypertension findings of dilated oesophagus and narrowing at the is associated with high risk for any surgical gastro-oesophageal (GE) junction, endoscopy revealed intervention.[1] Laparoscopic surgery offers the presence of three columns of grade I-II varices. She advantages of decreased tissue trauma and had no history of GI bleed. During the same time, she surgical stress in cirrhosis.[2] Combination of was also detected to have with high viral load Hepatitis C cirrhosis with oesophageal varices and and was treated with interferon decreasing her viral load. symptomatic achalasia cardia is rare. Laparoscopic cardiomyotomy is a well-established technique She received botulinum toxin injection for treatment to treat achalasia. Surgery involves separation of achalasia cardia, but had recurrence of symptoms of of oesophageal and gastric musculature from dysphagia within few months of the injection. Nocturnal underlying mucosa to release the high pressure dry cough progressed to a distressing level and fear of zone of lower oesophageal sphincter (LES)[3] endoscopic dilatation inducing variceal bleed, led for However, dissection in the submucosal plane a referral for a surgical option.

Journal of Minimal Access Surgery | April-June 2010 | Volume 6 | Issue 2 46 Dalvi et al.: Laparoscopic Heller’s cardiomyotomy

On examination, she had mild hepatomegaly, but no bleeding from varices. At 18 months’ follow up, patient evidence of splenomegaly or ascitis. was on full diet with no complaints.

Repeat endoscopy revealed grade II oesophageal varix DISCUSSION on the right wall, grade I column to the left of midline and grade II on posterior wall. A CT angiography Cirrhosis of liver with documented varices on endoscopy was done, which showed dilated left gastric vessel, involves development of dilatation of submucosal and collaterals around the oesophago-gastric junction and paraoesophageal venous channels specially in the lower lower oesophageal varices [Figure 1]. Her Liver function oesophagus and upper stomach. Surgery on or around tests were normal and she was categorized as child A these regions in patients with varices is challenging, cirrhosis. and prone to bleeding. Achalasia cardia is a primary oesophageal motility disorder characterized by failure Laparoscopic attempt at cardiomyotomy was planned. of relaxation of hypertensive LES on swallowing Standard ports for laparoscopic cardiomyotomy were [4,5] made. Findings included an enlarged cirrhotic liver, and aperistalsis of the body of the oesophagus. large left gastric vessels and collaterals in the left gastro- Progressive dysphagia more to liquids than solids, hepatic ligament. Left lobe was retracted using a 5 mm regurgitation, retrosternal burning, weight loss are instrument grasping the right crus. Staying in midline, the common symptoms. Nocturnal coughing with anterior myotomy was done using harmonic shear and extended for 7 cm, with 1 cm extension over anterior wall of stomach [Figure 2]. Thickening of oesophageal wall with fibrosis was encountered. There was the presence of sub-mucous varix, which was controlled with harmonic shear. Intra-operative endoscopy was done to confirm the adequacy of myotomy. After satisfactory findings, anterior Dor fundoplication was done [Figure 3]. The procedure was completed in 80 min with minimum blood loss of 50 ml. She had good post-operative recovery.

Conray gram done on day 1 documented free flow of dye across the GE junction. Her nocturnal cough and dysphagia disappeared since the day of surgery. She Figure 2: Completed cadiomyotomy showing cirrhotic liver, cardiomyotomy and endoscopic illumination. was on primary prophylaxis, tab propanolol to prevent

Figure 3: Completed fundoplication showing dilated collaterals and liver retraction. Figure 1: CT angiogram showing collaterals marked with arrows.

47 Journal of Minimal Access Surgery | April-June 2010 | Volume 6 | Issue 2 Dalvi et al.: Laparoscopic Heller’s cardiomyotomy pulmonary infiltrates that was one of the presenting collaterals, manipulation of non-pliable nodular left complaint in our patient is rare but indicates severe liver lobe, fibrosis due to botulinum toxin injection disorder.[6] were the technical challenges. Discussion and review of the investigations had revealed a relatively “risk free” Modification in diet and lifestyle, pharmacotherapy,[7] window at 12 O Clock position where the dissection botulinum toxin injection[8] balloon dilatation[9,10] and had to be done to keep bleeding to minimum and tackle surgery[11] are the treatment options available in patients the 1 O’clock submucosal varix with caution. The same with achalasia cardia. Botulinum toxin injection was was achieved with use of harmonic scalpel. Submucosal tried in our case as patient was high risk for surgery fibrosis and scarring due to history of botulinum due to varices. It acts by inhibiting calcium-dependent toxin injection is known[12] and was encountered in release of acetylcholine from nerve terminals, but 50% the present case. Intraoperative endoscopy helped to patients develop recurrence within 6 months,[11,12] confirm accurate completion of myotomy across the While nocturnal cough never improved, symptoms GE junction. of dysphagia had recurred in a short time. Balloon dilatation is an established therapy involving forceful Post-operative instant relief from nocturnal cough and stretching and disruption of LES, but was deferred dysphagia is the aim of cardiomyotomy in patients with due to the presence of varices. Fear of developing achalasia cardia, and the same was achieved using the pulmonary infiltrates due to persistent and increasing laparoscopic technique with uneventful post-operative nocturnal cough, recurrence of symptoms of dysphagia recovery. after conservative treatment modalities led to a surgical referral. The literature search on Medline (Pubmed) does not reveal any case of laparoscopic myotomy for achalasia Cardiomyotomy with or without an anti-reflux cardia in patient of oesophageal varices. procedure is well established and effective modality for treatment of achalasia cardia. Advantages of decreased CONCLUSION pain, in-hospital stay, less tissue trauma and early recovery has given laparoscopic approach an absolute Technical challenges in laparoscopic surgery like advantage over open surgery.[13] cirrhosis can be overcome with thorough preoperative planning, precise and meticulous dissection. In our patient, there was this unreported problem of associated cirrhosis and oesophageal varices, and ACKNOWLEDGMENT advice of laparoscopic or open approach had to be guarded. The surgery had to be meticulously planned We thank Dr. Ajay Thakker, Chief Executive Officer, Jupiter and knowledge of venous channels in and around the Hospital, Thane, Maharashtra, for allowing us to publish the lower oesophagus and upper stomach was absolutely hospital data. mandatory. This was managed by CT angiography and endoscopy. Co-ordination between the endoscopist, REFERENCES radiologist and the surgical team allowed us to proceed with the laparoscopic approach. Further, recent reports 1. Del Olmo JA, Flor-Lorente B, Flor-Civera B, Serra MA, Escudero A, Lledo documenting feasibility of laparoscopic surgery in S, et al. Risk factors for nonhepatic surgery in patients with cirrhosis. World J Surg 2003;27:647-52. cirrhotics for bleeding varices with emphasis on 3. Fernandes NF, Schwesinger WH, Hilsenbeck SG, Gross GW, Bay MK, technological advancements and surgical expertise[14] Sirinek KR, et al. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy and cirrhosis: A case- encouraged us to push for a laparoscopic over control study of outcomes. Liver Transpl 2000;6:340-4. 4. Kuster GG, Innocenti FA. Laparoscopic anatomy of the region of the open approach with background of 22 laparoscopic esophageal hiatus. Surg Endosc 1997;11:883-93. cardiomyotomies in non-cirrhotics. 5. Cohen S, Lipshutz W. Lower esophageal sphincter dysfunction in achalasia. 1971;61:814-20. 6 Castell DO. Achalasia and diffuse . Arch Intern Med Risk of bleeding due to the presence of varices in the 1976;136:571-9 plane of dissection, dilated para-oesophagogastric 7 Feldman M, Sleisenger MH, Scharschmidt BF. Sleisenger and Fordtrans

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gastrointestinal and : Pathophysiology, diagnosis and 13 Vaezi MF, Richter JE. Current therapies for achalasia: Comparison and management. 6th ed. Philadelphia; London: WB Saunders; 1998. efficacy. J Clin Gastroenterol 1998;27:21-35. 8 Massey BT. Esophageal Motility and sensory disorders: Presentations, 14 Patti MG, Pellegrini CA, Horgan S, Arcerito M, Omelanczuk P, Tamburini evaluation and treatment. Gastroenterol Clin N Am 2007;36:553-75. A, et al. Minimally invasive surgery for achalasia: An 8-year experience 9 Bansal R, Nostrant TT, Scheiman JM, Koshy S, Barnett JL, Elta GH, et al. with 168 patients. Ann Surg 1999;230:587-94. Intrasphincteric botulinum toxin versus pneumatic balloon dilation for 15 Wang YD, Ye H, Ye ZY, Zhu YW, Xie ZJ, Zhu JH, et al. Laparoscopic treatment of primary achalasia. J Clin Gastroenterol 2003;36:209-14. splenectomy and azygoportal disconnection for bleeding varices with 10 West RL, Hirsch DP, Bartelsman JF, de Borst J, Ferwerda G, Tytgat GN, hypersplenism. J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A 2008;18:37-41 et al. Long term results of pneumatic dilation in achalasia followed for more than 5 years. Am J Gastroenterol 2002;97:1346-51. Cite this article as: Dalvi AN, Thapar PM, Narawane NM, Shukla RN. 11 Karamanolis G, Sqouros S, Karatzias G, Papadopoulou E, Vasiliadis K, Laparoscopic Heller’s cardiomyotomy in cirrhosis with oesophageal varices. Stefanidis G et al. Long-term outcome of pneumatic dilation in the J Min Access Surg 2010;6:46‑49. treatment of achalasia. Am J Gastroenterol 2005;100:270-4. Date of submission: 09/12/09, Date of acceptance: 29/01/2010 12 Woltman TA, Pellegrini CA, Oelschlager BK. Achalasia. Surg Clin N Am Source of Support: Nil, Conflict of Interest: None declared. 2005;85:483-93.

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