Heller myotomy is the optimal index procedure for esophageal achalasia in adolescents and young adults.

[BACKGROUND] There is limited and conflicting data on the optimal intervention for the treatment of achalasia in adolescents and young adults (AYA), Heller myotomy (HM), esophageal dilation (ED) or botulinum toxin injection (botox). The goal of this study is to determine the most appropriate index intervention for achalasia in the AYA population.

[METHODS] We completed a longitudinal, population-based analysis of the California (2005-2010) and New York (1999-2014) statewide databases. We included patients 9-25 years old with achalasia who underwent HM, ED or botox. Comparisons were made based on the patients' index procedure. Rates of 30-day complications, long-term complications, and re-intervention up to 14 years were calculated. Cox regression was performed to determine the risk of re-intervention, adjusting for patient demographics.

[RESULTS] A total of 442 AYAs were analyzed, representing the largest cohort of young patients with this disease studied to date. Median follow-up was 5.2 years (IQR 1.8-8.0). The overall rate of re-intervention was 29.3%. Rates of re-intervention for ED and botox were equivalent and higher than HM (65.0% for ED, 47.4% for botox and 16.4% for HM, p < 0.001). Ultimately, 46.9% of ED and botox patients underwent HM. The overall short-term complication rate was 4.3% and long-term, 1.9%. There was no difference in the short-term and long-term complication rates between intervention groups (p > 0.05). On adjusted analysis, ED and botox were associated with increased risks of re-intervention when compared to HM (HR 5.9, HR 4.8, respectively, p < 0.01). Black patients were found to have a risk of re-intervention twice that of white patients (HR 2.0, p = 0.05).

[CONCLUSIONS] HM has a similar risk of complications but a significantly lower risk of re-intervention when compared to ED and botox. Based on our findings, we recommend HM as the optimal index procedure for AYAs with achalasia.