title: Operative management of achalasia of the oesophagus.
abstract: Twenty patients with achalasia of the oesophagus were managed in one thoracic surgical unit over a period of seven years. Eighteen of these were aged 16 to 40 years. There was a female:male ratio of 2:1. Dysphagia to both solids and liquids with diffuse bilateral parotid gland enlargement were the most common clinical features. All the patients had an oesophagomyotomy without an additional anti-reflux procedure. There was no mortality. The trans-thoracic approach for oesophagomyotomy was associated with better results without complications of gastro-oesophageal reflux. This approach is recommended and an additional routine anti-reflux procedure at the same sitting may be unnecessary.
authors: Department of Surgery, Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors: N A
authors: NA
authors: Mbembati
authors: L E
authors: LE
authors: Lema
authors: J F
authors: JF
authors: Kahamba
authors: O N
authors: ON
authors: Mcharo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013908:Thoracotomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome