title: Forceful balloon dilation: an outpatient procedure for achalasia.
abstract: The initial treatment of choice in patients with achalasia is balloon dilation. Heretofore, this procedure was performed on an in-hospital basis resulting in high patient cost. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of pneumatic dilation as an outpatient procedure. Sixty-one procedures were performed on 50 patients at two centers. An overall treatment success rate of 95% (47 of 50 patients) was achieved. Two patients had elective surgical treatment and a third underwent surgery for perforation secondary to dilation. A total of three patients complained of post-procedure chest pain within 4 hours and were hospitalized. Two had perforations; one required surgical repair. The third patient had resolution of symptoms. We conclude that performing balloon dilation as an outpatient procedure is safe, efficacious, and cost effective.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, University of Miami, School of Medicine/Mt. Sinai Medical Center, Florida 33140.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Barkin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guelrud
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Reiner
authors.forename: R I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Goldberg
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Phillips
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000191:economics*; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies