title: Surgical controversies in the treatment of recurrent achalasia of the esophagus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Surgery remains the first choice for achalasia of the esophagus with good results in 90% of cases.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied the cause of failure for surgical treatment and the results of a second operation in 20 patients that were followed up for at least three years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results were good in 70% of the cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To improve this procedure, according to the authors, it is essential for a careful presurgery evaluation, an early reoperation in case of failure and a careful surgical technique in order to avoid periesophageal sclerosis.
authors.affiliation: 3rd Department of General Surgery, University of Roma La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bove
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Corbellini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Catania
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chiarini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bongarzoni
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stella
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: De Antoni
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Matteo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D004944:Esophagoplasty; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D017211:Treatment Failure