Same Day Discharge for Heller Myotomy: Setting Realistic Patient Expectations Is Key

I read with interest the article by Lopez et al. in this issue entitled: “Same day discharge after minimally invasive Heller myotomy: one surgeon's experience”. The authors performed a retrospective review of 157 consecutive patients who underwent a laparoscopic (n = 35) or robotic (n = 122) Heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication for type I or II achalasia over a 6-year period. A surprising 132 patients (84% of the total number) were discharged home on the day of surgery, with only 4 returning to hospital within 48 h of discharge. There were no mortalities and an overall complication rate of 2.6%. The authors concluded that same day discharge following minimally invasive Heller myotomy is safe and feasible, with significant cost and resource benefits.

There is no doubt that Lopez and co-authors must be commended on their study results...