title: Invited commentary.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21218-2895, USA. richard.heitmiller@medstar.net
authors.forename: Richard F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Heitmiller
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019090:Case Management; D002648:Child; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy; D004947:Esophagus / Q000002:abnormalities; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018662:Fundoplication; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000601:surgery; D010166:Palliative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013908:Thoracotomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome