title: Endoscope-guided pneumatic dilatation of esophageal achalasia without fluoroscopy is another safe and effective treatment option: a report of Taiwan.
abstract: This study reports the usefulness and safety of endoscope-guided pneumatic dilatation (PD) technique without using fluoroscopy. From January 1998 to June 2004, a total of 33 patients with achalasia, including 20 males and 13 females, received PD in our unit. The mean age was 48.5+/-17.5 years (range: [corrected] 18 to 93 y). All patients underwent endoscopic-guided PD by using a 3.0 cm [corrected] diameter "Regiflex" balloon dilator (Microvasive, Watertown, MA). The results of PD were recorded and evaluated by symptom scores based on the frequency of attack of 3 major symptoms: dysphagia, regurgitation, and chest pain, both before, and then 6 weeks, 6 months, 1 year after PD was performed. Thirty-three patients were treated, excellent results in 27, good results in 3, and failure in 3 (1 requiring surgical treatment later). Overall, we demonstrated that the technique is effective and safe option for achalasia treatment.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hepatogastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung Medical Center, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. chuahsk@seed.net.tw
authors.forename: Seng-Kee
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Chuah
authors.forename: Tsung-Hui
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Keng-Liang
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Chung-Mou
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: Tze-Von
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Fong
authors.forename: Chuan-Mo
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Chi-Sin
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Changchien
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002404:Catheterization; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000628:therapy*; D049630:Esophageal Sphincter, Lower / Q000502:physiology*; D004945:Esophagoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D011312:Pressure; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013624:Taiwan; D016896:Treatment Outcome