Treatment of achalasia using balloon dilatation
Baumann, R.; de Peyer, R.; Dederding, J.P.; Bosson, R.; Loizeau, E.
Schweizerische Medizinische Wochenschrift 120(36): 1304-1307
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-7672 PMID: 2218451 Document Number: 359870
40 patients with achalasia underwent pneumatic dilatation. 25 were followed up for a mean duration of 3.96 years. Digestive symptoms disappeared in 32% of cases, were diminished in 40% and remained unchanged in 28%. In 8 patients oesophageal manometry after dilatation showed a significant reduction in lower oesophageal sphincter pressure. The patients showing improvement had a more marked drop in lower oesophageal sphincter pressure, lower residual pressure in the lower oesophageal sphincter measured by wet swallows, and negative pressure in the oesophagus. As complications 3 patients developed oesophageal perforation with one subsequent death, and 3 symptomatic gastro-oesophageal reflux. In view of these results, we regard pneumatic dilatation as the treatment of choice in achalasia.