Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which doctor should I consult for myotomy?Esophageal myotomy is usually performed by a gastroenterologist. A medical gastroenterologist may perform endoscopic procedures. Other procedures are usually done by a surgical gastroenterologist.
2. What tests are performed before myotomy for achalasia cardia?
Tests to diagnose achalasia cardia are done before performing myotomy. Oesophageal manometry is used to record the pressure of the lower end of the esophagus. An endoscopy allows direct visualization of the lower end. An esophagogram studies the passage of barium through the lower end of the esophagus.
3. How quickly does a patient recover from Heller myotomy?
Patients who undergo laparoscopic Heller myotomy are usually hospitalized for a day or two after the operation. Patients undergoing an open surgery require a longer recovery period.
4. Can a patient start eating normally after Heller myotomy?
Initially, the patient is given a liquid diet which is followed by soft foods for around a month. Foods that generate gas like beans etc. as well as carbonated drinks should be avoided for around a couple of months following surgery.
5. Does Heller myotomy provide a permanent relief of symptoms in patients with achalasia cardia?
In most cases, Heller myotomy provides long-term relief in achalasia cardia. Some patients may require an alternative procedure if the benefits of the surgery do not last for long.
6. Is myotomy done for any other conditions?
A form of myotomy called septal myotomy or septal myectomy is done on the heart for a condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, where the heart muscle is thickened. A part of muscle from the septum separating the two ventricles is cut off, thereby relieving obstruction of blood flow in the heart.
