Pneumatic dilatation for the treatment of achalasia: a follow-up study of 49 patients.
Results of treatment by pneumatic dilatation of the oesophagus were evaluated in 49 patients with achalasia. Thirty-four patients (69%) had excellent or good results after three or fewer dilatation-sessions (follow-up of at least 18 months). The results were moderate in 9 patients, whereas 6 experienced no benefit at all. Two out of 169 sessions of pneumodilatation were complicated by perforation of the oesophagus. There was no mortality. Our results are in agreement with those reached by other series. We conclude that pneumodilatation is an effective and relatively safe procedure for the treatment of achalasia.
Department of Medicine, St. Radboud University Hospital, Nijmegen.
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000379:methods; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000628:therapy*; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged