Extreme Achalasia Presenting as Anorexia Nervosa

Abstract

Background . Achalasia may lead to cachexia if not diagnosed in an early stage. Surgery in cachectic patients is hazardous and complications may result in a protracted recovery or even death. Different treatment options have been described. In this paper, we report a stepwise surgical laparoscopic approach which appears to be safe and effective. Methods . Over a one-year period, a patient with a body mass index (BMI) below 17 being treated for anorexia nervosa was referred with dysphagia. Because of the extreme cachexia, a laparoscopic feeding jejunostomy (LFJ) was fashioned to enable long-term home enteral feeding. The patient underwent a laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) when the BMI was normal. Results . The patient recovered well following this stepwise approach. Conclusion . Patients with advanced achalasia usually present with extreme weight loss. In this small group of patients, a period of home enteral nutrition (HEN) via a laparoscopically placed feeding jejunostomy allows weight gain prior to safe definitive surgery.