Minimally Invasive Procedure Restores Achalasia Patient’s Ability to Keep Food Down

After losing the ability to ingest food and drinks properly, a 31-year-old achalasia patient turned to Keck Medicine of USC gastrointestinal surgery experts to regain nourishment.

By
November 11, 2026
7 min

Keck Medicine of USC

Objective:

The article examines the objective, findings, and clinical context described in Minimally Invasive Procedure Restores Achalasia Patient’s Ability to Keep Food Down.

Approach:

Diagnosis: After months of regurgitation, heartburn, and weight loss, the patient was evaluated by gastrointestinal surgeon John C. Lipham, MD. High-resolution esophageal manometry and an endoluminal functional lumen imaging probe were used to assess esophageal function.
Treatment: Lipham performed a robot-assisted laparoscopic Heller myotomy, loosening the lower esophageal sphincter. He also performed a partial fundoplication to help prevent reflux.

Key Findings:

The patient had lost 40 pounds over a few months and reported difficulty keeping food and drinks down.
He noticed improvement soon after surgery, initially while following a liquid diet.
After resuming solid foods, he regained weight, according to the article.

Interpretation:

Achalasia impairs esophageal muscle function and prevents the lower esophageal sphincter from opening normally, causing food to become stuck and be regurgitated. The article describes specialized testing and surgery used in this patient’s care.

Limitations:

This is a single-patient account and does not report comparative outcomes or long-term follow-up.
The article does not provide detailed test results or quantify the patient’s recovery beyond the reported weight regain.

Conclusion:

The patient reported that food began passing into his stomach after the minimally invasive procedure.

Sources:

Article context provided by the user

Minimally Invasive Procedure Restores Achalasia Patient’s Ability to Keep Food Down

Objective:

Approach:

Key Findings:

Interpretation:

Limitations:

Conclusion:

Sources:

Original Source(s)

Minimally Invasive Procedure Restores Achalasia Patient’s Ability to Keep Food Down

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