Dilatation versus surgery in the treatment of cardial achalasia
Tosato, F.; Passaro, U.; Scocchera, F.; Vasapollo, L.; Giordani, D.; Paolini, A.
Minerva Chirurgica 53(3): 203-211
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0026-4733 PMID: 9617119 Document Number: 491792
Both surgery and dilatation are useful for the treatment of cardial achalasia. The authors make a wide review of the literature with particular attention to reports comparing results of these procedures. This review evidences that surgery gives better results than dilatations (84.4% of good results with surgery against 71.4% with repeated dilatations) and is certainly more stable over the years. Mini-invasive surgery points out even more strongly that surgery is nowadays to be preferred. Laparoscopy makes it possible to avoid postoperative pain, to discharge the patient in a couple of days and finally to eliminate surgical scars. Complications, even more frequent after surgery (5.5% against 2.1% of dilatation) are still acceptable in number and not heavy in quality.