Procedure · Surgery

Esophagus surgery, focused expertise

Cancer resection · Achalasia · Diverticula · Apollo Speciality Hospitals, Nellore

The esophagus is a complex part of the digestive tract spanning the chest and upper abdomen. Surgery here demands focused expertise, careful patient selection, and the multidisciplinary support of a tertiary hospital. Dr. Dwarakanath Reddy performs both cancer resection (esophagectomy) and benign oesophageal procedures at Apollo Speciality Hospitals, Nellore.

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01 · Surgery

What does esophagus surgery cover?

Esophagus surgery is a broad area covering both cancer resection and benign disease. The most common operations are esophagectomy (removal of the cancerous oesophagus with reconstruction), Heller's myotomy (for achalasia), Zenker's diverticulectomy, and large hiatus hernia or paraesophageal hernia repair. The choice of approach, open, thoracoscopic, laparoscopic, or hybrid (Ivor Lewis, McKeown, transhiatal), depends on tumour location, stage, and patient anatomy.

02 · Surgery

Conditions treated

Surgery is offered for:

Esophageal cancer, squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma (see also the GI Oncology esophageal cancer page)
Achalasia, failure of the lower oesophageal sphincter to relax, causing food retention
Zenker's diverticulum, pouch in the upper oesophagus, causing regurgitation and aspiration
Epiphrenic diverticulum, pouch in the lower oesophagus, often with motility disorder
Large paraesophageal or hiatus hernia
Severe oesophageal stricture not amenable to endoscopic dilatation
End-stage achalasia with sigmoid oesophagus needing oesophagectomy

Each condition requires a different surgical strategy. Comprehensive workup, endoscopy, manometry, contrast study, and CT or PET-CT for cancer, is essential before deciding.

03 · Surgery

How a Heller's myotomy is performed (most common benign procedure)

01 Five small upper-abdominal incisions are made under general anaesthesia
02 The diaphragm is mobilised to expose the lower oesophagus
03 The muscle layer of the lower oesophagus is divided lengthwise (myotomy) for 6 to 8 cm above the gastro-oesophageal junction
04 The myotomy is extended onto the upper stomach for 2 to 3 cm to relieve the obstruction
05 A partial wrap (Dor or Toupet fundoplication) is added to prevent post-operative reflux
06 Cuts are closed with absorbable sutures

The procedure takes 90 to 120 minutes. Hospital stay is 2 to 3 nights. Liquid diet for the first week, soft diet for the second, gradually advancing to normal.

04 · Surgery

Recovery timeline (Heller's myotomy)

Day of surgery	Inpatient. Sips of water in the evening. Walking by night.
Day 1 to 3	Liquid diet. Discharge typically after one or two nights.
Week 1	Liquid and very soft diet. Most patients return to office work.
Week 2 to 4	Gradual return to soft solids and then normal food.
Month 3	Complete recovery. Annual follow-up to monitor for recurrence.

Esophagectomy recovery is much longer, 6 to 10 weeks before a full return to normal life, with a structured oncological follow-up schedule. See the GI Oncology esophageal cancer page for details.

05 · Surgery

Risks and complications

Risks vary widely between procedures. Heller's myotomy and small diverticulectomy are very safe with low complication rates. Esophagectomy is one of the most complex GI cancer operations, with significant risks including anastomotic leak, pulmonary complications, and longer recovery. Dr. Reddy discusses procedure-specific risks individually, with full transparency on volume and outcomes data.

06 · Surgery

Why Dr. Reddy for esophagus surgery

DrNB qualified surgical gastroenterologist with upper GI focus
Multidisciplinary team backing for cancer cases, oncology, radiology, anaesthesia, ICU
Minimally invasive approach where the disease and anatomy permit
Apollo Speciality Hospitals provides high-end ICU, blood bank, and ventilatory support
Cancer cases discussed in tumour-board format before treatment is finalised

07 · Surgery

Frequently asked questions

How is achalasia diagnosed?

Symptoms (difficulty swallowing both solids and liquids, regurgitation, weight loss) plus three confirmatory tests: high-resolution oesophageal manometry, barium swallow study, and upper GI endoscopy. POEM (per-oral endoscopic myotomy) is an alternative endoscopic option in selected cases.

Is esophagectomy always done laparoscopically?

No. The choice between minimally invasive (laparoscopic and thoracoscopic) and open or hybrid approach depends on tumour size and location, prior surgery, and patient fitness. Dr. Reddy will explain which approach is being recommended and why before consent.

Will I lose weight after esophagus surgery?

Most patients lose 5 to 10 kg in the first three months after esophagectomy. Weight stabilises at 6 to 12 months. Heller's myotomy and other benign procedures usually result in weight gain, as patients can finally eat normally again.

Will my insurance cover this surgery?

Cancer surgery is universally covered by all major insurers, both cashless and reimbursement. Benign procedures (Heller's myotomy, hernia repair) are also covered when medically indicated. Send your scans and reports on WhatsApp for a pre-authorisation check.

Related conditions

Conditions this procedure treats.

ICD-10 · K22.0

Achalasia Cardia

A motility disorder of the oesophagus where the lower oesophageal sphincter fails to relax. Causes progressive difficulty swallowing both solids and liquids, regurgitation, and weight loss. Treated definitively by Heller's myotomy or POEM.

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ICD-10 · C15

Esophageal Cancer

Cancer of the oesophagus (food pipe), either squamous cell carcinoma (more common in India) or adenocarcinoma (more common in lower oesophagus, often arising from Barrett's). Curative treatment combines chemoradiotherapy and esophagectomy.

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Next step

Have an esophageal cancer diagnosis, achalasia, or persistent swallowing difficulty? Share your reports on WhatsApp.

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