The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1W 8RH London
Achalasia surgery
HELLER'S MYOTOMY
If you experience achalasia, our HCA UK specialists can carry out laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery to help you swallow more easily.
What is achalasia?
Achalasia is a rare condition, where the muscles in your food pipe (oesophagus) don't contract properly. This can make it difficult to swallow food and drink.
This is a minimally invasive treatment, making swallowing permanently easier.
Need to know
Laparascopic surgery (Heller's myotomy) for achalasia is carried out under general anaesthetic. Each surgeon's approach may vary slightly, however they will follow these general steps:
- Make a small opening near your belly button and inflate your abdomen with gas.
- Insert small tubes into incisions in your abdomen, placing surgical instruments and a small telescope into the tubes, providing a clearer image of your abdomen on screen.
- Your surgeon will then cut the muscle at the lower end of your esophageal sphincter, allowing food/drink to pass more easily into your stomach.
- At the end of the procedure, they will remove the instruments and stitch your incisions.
Your consultant will explain the procedure and answer any questions you might have. You may have X-rays and endoscopic tests (tube with a camera on the end) to show clearer images of your oesophagus.
Due to the nature of achalasia, you will be advised on your food and drink intake before having laparascopic surgery. If you are taking medication, your consultant will also recommend whether or not to stop doing so before the procedure.
Patients normally stay in hospital between 1-2 days after laparoscopic surgery. Our clinical nurses will continue to monitor you during this time. If you experience pain and/or discomfort, they can provide you with medication.
Your consultant will let you know when you can get back to your usual routine. You should be able to return to work within two weeks of the procedure. During your recovery process, you should take extra care whilst eating and drinking, staying on soft foods for the first few days.
Our Achalasia surgery locations
The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
London Digestive Centre
41 Welbeck Street W1G 8EA London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.