The Outcome of Laparoscopic Surgery With and Without Short Gastric Vessel Division for Achalasia

Short gastric vessel division (SGVD) has been performed as a part of fundoplication for achalasia. However, whether or not SGVD is necessary is still unknown. Forty-six patients with achalasia who underwent a laparoscopic surgery with or without SGVD were analyzed. A questionnaire was administered to assess the postoperative improvement. Regarding improvement of dysphagia and postoperative reflux, there were no significant differences between SGVD (+) group and SGVD (−) group (P = 0.588 and P = 0.686, respectively). Nineteen patients (95%) in the SGVD (+) group and 24 (92%) in the SGVD (−) group answered that the surgery was satisfactory (P = 0.756). In the SGVD (+) group, the pre- and postsurgical body weight increase was +7.3%. In the SGVD (−) group, it was 8.2%. There was no significant difference of body weight increase between the 2 groups (P = 0.354). SGVD is not always required in laparoscopic surgery for achalasia.