title: The danger of high compliance balloons for esophageal dilatation in achalasia.
abstract: High compliance balloons, commonly used for pneumatic dilatation of achalasia patients, theoretically subject the widened esophageal wall, proximal to the narrow zone, to increased pressure, and subsequently to a higher risk of perforation. The new type of inelastic cylindrically shaped balloons, such as the Gruntzig-type and Rigiflex Achalasia Dilator, seems to be safer, since it increases esophageal wall tension in the stenotic zone only. The purpose of this study was to present a pathophysiological consideration of this assumption, together with two cases which support it.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rabinovici
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Goldin
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kluger
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ayalon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D003187:Compliance; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000628:therapy*; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male