[Esophageal achalasia].
The purpose of this study was to analyze results of pneumatic dilatation due to esophageal achalasia at the Clinic of General Thoracic Surgery of Vilnius University.


METHODS
During 25-year period (1973-1998) we have treated 133 achalasia patients. On 125 patients pneumatic dilatation was performed. One hundred five (84%) patients recovered fully. Single course of pneumatic dilatations was sufficient. Recurrence rate was 16% - 3 courses of pneumatic dilatations were performed on 2 (1.6%), 2 - on 18 (14.4%) patients. Complications. The major complication of pneumatic dilatation is esophageal perforation. Most series report its incidence at about 2%. In our study 2 cases (1.6%) of esophageal perforation occurred. Both patients were operated immediately. One (0.8%) died because of purulent complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Pneumatic dilatation is safe and effective method of treatment. In our opinion, it would be the best initial approach. If it failed, then myotomy would be treatment of choice.
Zilinskas
Arūnas
A
Clinic of General Thoracic Surgery, Vilnius University, Zygimantu 3, 2001 Vilnius, Lithuania. a.zilinskas@takas.lt
Janilionis
Ricardas
R
Sucila
Antanas
A
Gruslys
Vygantas
V
Nekrasas
Vytautas
V
D002404:Catheterization; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome