NCT07177222

Brief Summary

Study design. A randomized, prospective design study with retrospective data addition was conducted at two medical institutions between December 2017 and July 2025. Patients were equally allocated (1:1) between the laparoscopic and open Heller esophagocardiomyotomy groups. Ethical aspects. All research procedures were carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration and national ethical standards. The study protocol was approved by the Bioethics Committee of the Kyrgyz State Medical Academy (KSMA) named after I.K. Akhunbaev (protocol No. 6, dated 11.12.2017). All participants were provided with a full explanation of the study objectives, methods, potential risks and benefits, and provided written informed consent prior to surgery and the processing of their anonymised clinical data for scientific purposes. The study included 38 patients diagnosed with AC. The patients were divided into two groups: 18 patients underwent laparoscopic esophagocardiomyotomy, and 20 patients underwent open surgery. A comparative analysis of these groups made it possible to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of both laparoscopic and traditional surgical interventions in the early and late postoperative periods. All participants were provided with a full explanation of the study objectives, methods, potential risks and benefits, and provided written informed consent prior to surgery and the processing of their anonymised clinical data for scientific purposes. The study included 38 patients diagnosed with AC. The patients were divided into two groups: 18 patients underwent laparoscopic esophagocardiomyotomy, and 20 patients underwent open surgery. A comparative analysis of these groups made it possible to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of both laparoscopic and traditional surgical interventions in the early and late postoperative periods. Inclusion criteria: Patients meeting the following requirements were accepted into the study:

  • Clinically and instrumentally confirmed diagnosis of grade II-III AС, established on the basis of esophagogastroduodenoscopy, fluoroscopy with a contrast agent.
  • No previous surgical operations on the esophagus and cardia;
  • Availability of written informed consent for participation in the study and subsequent observation. Exclusion criteria: Patients were excluded from the study if they had:
  • Severe concomitant diseases (cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine and others) that could limit the possibility of safe surgery and/or long-term observation;
  • Detected malignant neoplasms of the esophagus, cardia or stomach;
  • Refusal to participate in the study or inability to comply with the observation protocol. Preoperative preparation: All patients underwent a preoperative examination, which included: - Clinical history collection with a detailed description of complaints, duration and dynamics of the disease, presence of complications and concomitant diseases;
  • General clinical and biochemical tests, electrocardiography;
  • Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGDS) to assess the degree of expansion of the esophagus, the condition of the mucous membrane and to exclude tumor processes;
  • X-ray examination of the esophagus with barium contrast to assess the degree of esophageal dilation, the functional state of the cardia and the identification of associated changes (diverticula, gastroesophageal reflux). Surgical intervention. Classical esophagocardiomyotomy performed via laparotomy remains the accepted method of treating AC. The operation involves esophagocardiomyotomy using the Heller technique, which improves the passage of food and reduces swallowing difficulties and reflux of gastric contents. Traditional laparotomy access is associated with high trauma and a long recovery period. Laparoscopic esophagocardiomyotomy in our study was performed using modern minimally invasive technologies.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
38

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for all trials

Timeline
Completed

Started Dec 2017

Longer than P75 for all trials

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

December 1, 2017

Completed
7.7 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

July 30, 2025

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

July 30, 2025

Completed
1 month until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

August 29, 2025

Completed
18 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

September 16, 2025

Completed
Last Updated

September 16, 2025

Status Verified

July 1, 2025

Enrollment Period

7.7 years

First QC Date

August 29, 2025

Last Update Submit

September 9, 2025

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Significant and long-lasting reduction in symptom severity according to the Eckardt scale

    The patient's Eckardt score drops from a high value (indicating severe achalasia symptoms) to a low value (typically ≤3) and remains low over several years.

    from 6 to 60 months

Study Arms (2)

18 patients

underwent laparoscopic esophagocardiomyotomy

Procedure: laparoscopic esophagocardiomyotomy

20 patients

underwent open surgery

Procedure: open surgery

Interventions

Heller myotomy, is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that involves cutting the muscle at the lower end of the esophagus to treat achalasia, a condition where this muscle (esophageal sphincter) fails to relax and hinders food passage into the stomach.

18 patients
open surgeryPROCEDURE

Open surgery, or traditional surgery, involves a surgeon making one large incision to directly access and view the internal organ or body part being operated on.

20 patients

Eligibility Criteria

Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsChild (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
Sampling MethodNon-Probability Sample
Study Population

The study included 38 patients diagnosed with AC. The patients were divided into two groups: 18 patients underwent laparoscopic esophagocardiomyotomy, and 20 patients underwent open surgery.

You may qualify if:

  • Clinically and instrumentally confirmed diagnosis of grade II-III AС, established based on esophagogastroduodenoscopy, fluoroscopy with a contrast agent;
  • No previous surgical operations on the esophagus and cardia;
  • Availability of written informed consent for participation in the study and subsequent observation.

You may not qualify if:

  • Severe concomitant diseases (cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine and others) that could limit the possibility of safe surgery and/or long-term observation;
  • Detected malignant neoplasms of the esophagus, cardia or stomach;
  • Refusal to participate in the study or inability to comply with the observation protocol.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Laparoscopic esophagocardiomyotomy

Bishkek, 720020, Kyrgyzstan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Esophageal Achalasia

Interventions

Conversion to Open Surgery

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Esophageal Motility DisordersDeglutition DisordersEsophageal DiseasesGastrointestinal DiseasesDigestive System Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

EndoscopyMinimally Invasive Surgical ProceduresSurgical Procedures, Operative

Study Officials

  • Bakytbek Osmonaliev, PhD

    Kyrgyz State Medical Academy

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
observational
Observational Model
COHORT
Time Perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
PhD

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

August 29, 2025

First Posted

September 16, 2025

Study Start

December 1, 2017

Primary Completion

July 30, 2025

Study Completion

July 30, 2025

Last Updated

September 16, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-07

Locations