Balloon dilatation of muscular esophageal disorders
Andersen, L.I.; Stentoft, P.; Helth, G.
Ugeskrift for Laeger 149(7): 451-454
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-5782 PMID: 3824636 Document Number: 302124
Fourteen patients complaining of severe dysphagia and chest pain because of dysfunction of LES (three patients with achalasia, six patients formerly operated on because of achalasia, four patients suffering from hypertensive LES and one patient from hyperreactive, hypercontracting LES) were treated with dilatation of LES by means of balloon catheter with a balloon diameter of our centimetres. Each patient had a primary dilatation and, four weeks later, a second dilatation in order to inhibit any possible stricture formation because of fibrosis. No immediate complications occurred in any of the 28 dilatations. After a median observation time of six months (3-13) symptoms were still absent in all patients with achalasia, in five of the patients formerly treated for achalasia, in three of the cases with hypertensive LES, and in the patient with hyperreactive, hypercontracting LES. Pressure measurements in the esophagus before and after dilatation are considered mandatory to establish the diagnosis and to evaluate the necessity of further dilatations. Balloon-dilatation of LES in patients with dysfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter is an effective and gentle alternative to operative treatment.