BACKGROUND: The authors describe a Heller's technique alteration used for treatment of early Chagasic megaesphagus (ECM): esophagocardiomyotomy with divulsion plus esophagocardiopexy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between June 1988 and March 1996, fifty patients were operated on at Surgery Department of FAMEMA. All had chagasic megaesophagus degrees I, II and III. RESULTS: The results were excellent in 86% (43/50) and good in 14% (7/50), for 6 months to 7.6 years of follow up. The radiological and endoscopic studies showed neither esophagic stasis nor food residues and esophagitis. CONCLUSION: The authors concluded that esophagocardiomyotomy with divulsion plus esophagocardiogastropexy is efficient in ECM degrees I, II e III and emphasize both technical facility and security.
Chagas disease; Achalasia; Surgery
