Achalasia is a rare disease of the esophagus, characterized by the absence of peristalsis in the esophageal body and incomplete relaxation of a hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter. The cause of the disease is unknown; therefore, the aim of therapy is to improve esophageal emptying by eliminating the outflow resistance caused by the lower esophageal sphincter. This goal can be accomplished by either pneumatic dilatation or surgical cardiomyotomy, which are the only long term, effective therapies for the treatment of achalasia. In fact, medications such as channel blockers are ineffective, and botulinum toxin injection appears to offer only short-term relief of symptoms. Historically, pneumatic dilatation was preferred to surgery because of the morbidity associated with a thoracotomy or a laparotomy. However, with the development of minimally invasive techniques, the surgical approach has gained widespread acceptance among patients and gastroenterologists. Therefore, the role of surg...
Evolution in the treatment of esophageal achalasia.
Feo C. V.;Zamboni P.;Liboni A.;
2000
Abstract
Achalasia is a rare disease of the esophagus, characterized by the absence of peristalsis in the esophageal body and incomplete relaxation of a hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter. The cause of the disease is unknown; therefore, the aim of therapy is to improve esophageal emptying by eliminating the outflow resistance caused by the lower esophageal sphincter. This goal can be accomplished by either pneumatic dilatation or surgical cardiomyotomy, which are the only long term, effective therapies for the treatment of achalasia. In fact, medications such as channel blockers are ineffective, and botulinum toxin injection appears to offer only short-term relief of symptoms. Historically, pneumatic dilatation was preferred to surgery because of the morbidity associated with a thoracotomy or a laparotomy. However, with the development of minimally invasive techniques, the surgical approach has gained widespread acceptance among patients and gastroenterologists. Therefore, the role of surg...I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
