2005 SAGES Abstracts

POSTER ABSTRACTS
SAGES 2005
and without fundoplication. Heartburn is a significant problem
in a minority of patients. In our hands, T had the worst results
and MD was more protective for heartburn.
P274–Esophageal/Gastric Surgery
BMI IMPACTS PRESENTING SYMPTOMS OF ACHALASIA AND
OUTCOME AFTER HELLER MYOTOMY, Alexander S
Rosemurgy MD, Desiree V Villadolid BS,Candace M Kalipersad
BS,Donald P Thometz BA,Steven S Rakita MD, Department of
Surgery, University of South Florida College of Medicine,
Tampa General Hospital
Introduction: The impact of obesity on health is increasingly
recognized. The impact of obesity on presenting symptoms of
achalasia and on outcome after Heller myotomy is not established.
This study was undertaken to determine the impact of
Body Mass Index (BMI) on the presenting symptoms of achalasia
and outcome after laparoscopic Heller myotomy.
Methods: Since 1992, 254 patients, 137 men and 117 women,
of median age 47 years (49 years ± 17.9), and of median BMI
24 (25 ± 4.9), have undergone laparoscopic Heller myotomy
and have been followed through a prospectively maintained
registry. With median follow-up at 26 months (32 months ±
28.6), patients scored their symptoms after myotomy using a
Likert scale (0=never/not bothersome to 5=every time I
eat/very bothersome). Data are presented as median, mean ±
SD, when appropriate.
Results: Patient scores improved with myotomy (p