title: [Treatment of achalasia using balloon dilatation].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Division de gastroentérologie et nutrition, Hôpital cantonal universitaire, Genève.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Baumann
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: de Peyer
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Dederding
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bosson
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Loizeau
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000209:etiology; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D011312:Pressure
vernacular_title: Traitement de l'achalasie par dilatation pneumatique.