Abstract

MORALES PAEZ, Esteban Ariel  and  CHAVEZ RIVALDI, Cristhian. Laparoscopic management of benign esophageal pathologies at the first chair of surgical clinic of the hospital de clínicas (Paraguay), 2014-2022. Cir. parag. [online]. 2026, vol.50, n.1, pp.13-16.  Epub Apr 30, 2026. ISSN 2307-0420.  https://doi.org/10.18004/sopaci.2026.abril.13.

Introduction: Benign esophageal pathologies, such as achalasia, hiatal hernia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, significantly affect patients' quality of life and usually present with dysphagia, retrosternal pain, and reflux. Objective: To describe the laparoscopic management of benign esophageal pathologies at the First Chair of Surgical Clinic of the Hospital de Clínicas, Paraguay, from January 2014 to December 2022. Materials and methods: Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, and retrospective study. A non-probabilistic consecutive case sampling was performed through review of medical records of patients older than 18 years, of both sexes, diagnosed with benign esophageal pathology and treated laparoscopically during the study period. Results: Twenty patients were included. Females predominated (55%), and the most frequent age group was 50 to 69 years (60%). Dysphagia was the most common symptom (60%). Achalasia was the main diagnosis (55%), followed by hiatal hernia (30%) and GERD associated with hiatal hernia (15%). The most frequently used surgical techniques were Nissen fundoplication (45%) and Heller myotomy associated with fundoplication (55%). Operative time was predominantly 3 to 4 hours (80%), hospital stay was most commonly 1 to 6 days (90%), and conversion to open surgery occurred in 10% of cases. Conclusion: In this series, laparoscopic management of benign esophageal pathologies was mainly represented by achalasia and hiatal hernia, with Nissen fundoplication and Heller myotomy associated with fundoplication being the most commonly performed procedures. Conversion to open surgery was uncommon.

Keywords : Achalasia; Hiatal hernia; Gastroesophageal reflux; Dysphagia; Laparoscopy.

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