Management and outcomes of 13 dogs treated with a modified Heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication for lower esophageal sphincter achalasia-like syndrome.
Vet Surg 2023;
52:315-329. [PMID:
36458673 DOI:
10.1111/vsu.13912]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To report the management and outcomes of dogs treated for lower esophageal sphincter achalasia-like syndrome (LES-AS) with modified Heller myotomy, Dor fundoplication, and with the use of a temporary gastrostomy tube.
STUDY DESIGN
Retrospective.
SAMPLE POPULATION
Thirteen client-owned dogs.
METHODS
Medical records and a client survey were used to assess frequency of vomiting/regurgitation, quality of life (QoL), bodyweight, and feeding modifications at the following time points: prior to referral, postoperatively from discharge to first recheck (4-6 weeks), and from first recheck to survey (48 months). Postoperative and gastrostomy tube complications were surveyed and recorded. Pretreatment and 4-6 weeks postoperative videofluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSS) were compared. Two-sided t-tests were used to compare outcomes between survey time points.
RESULTS
Postoperative VFSS scores (available in 9 dogs) improved over preoperative scores in 6 dogs, and 12/13 dogs survived to discharge. One dog was euthanized 3 days postoperatively due to aspiration pneumonia. Postoperative gastrostomy tube complications occurred in half of the dogs that survived to discharge. According to the owners, scores assigned to vomiting/regurgitation improved by 180% (P = .004), QoL by 100% (P = .004), and bodyweight by 63% (P = .035).
CONCLUSION
Modified Heller myotomy with Dor fundoplication and the use of a temporary gastrostomy tube improved clinical signs and owners' perceived quality of life in half of the dogs treated for LES-AS in our clinical setting. Oral sildenafil therapy discontinued postoperatively suggests that surgery was equally efficacious.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Modified Heller myotomy with Dor fundoplication and temporary gastrostomy tube is a treatment option with potentially sustained benefits for dogs that have LES-AS.
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