Pnematic Dilation in Achalasia

Pneumatic dilation is the most common first-line therapy for the treatment of achalasia. The aim of dilation is a controlled disruption of circular muscle fibres of the lower esophageal sphincter to reduce the functional obstruction. Several types of dilators and different dilation techniq...

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Main Authors: Maximilian Bittinger, Martin Wienbeck
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2001-01-01
Series:Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2001/593657
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author Maximilian Bittinger
Martin Wienbeck
author_facet Maximilian Bittinger
Martin Wienbeck
author_sort Maximilian Bittinger
collection DOAJ
description Pneumatic dilation is the most common first-line therapy for the treatment of achalasia. The aim of dilation is a controlled disruption of circular muscle fibres of the lower esophageal sphincter to reduce the functional obstruction. Several types of dilators and different dilation techniques are used, but the achieved results are similar. The mean success rate is about 80% in the short term, but some patients need redilation in the further course (particularly young patients). Best long term results are obtained if the lower esophageal sphincter pressure can be reduced below 10 mmHg. Major complications are rare after pneumatic dilation; the most serious complication is esophageal perforation, which occurs at a mean rate of about 2.5%. Considering the pros and cons of other effective forms of treatment of achalasia (esophagomyotomy and intrasphincteric injection of botulinum toxin), pneumatic dilation is still the treatment of choice in the majority of patients with achalasia.
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spelling doaj-art-7337715d09b047e9927f83ee92daf4fc2025-02-03T05:47:46ZengWileyCanadian Journal of Gastroenterology0835-79002001-01-0115319519910.1155/2001/593657Pnematic Dilation in AchalasiaMaximilian Bittinger0Martin Wienbeck1Department of Internal Medicine III, Zentralklinikum Augsburg, Augsburg, GermanyDepartment of Internal Medicine III, Zentralklinikum Augsburg, Augsburg, GermanyPneumatic dilation is the most common first-line therapy for the treatment of achalasia. The aim of dilation is a controlled disruption of circular muscle fibres of the lower esophageal sphincter to reduce the functional obstruction. Several types of dilators and different dilation techniques are used, but the achieved results are similar. The mean success rate is about 80% in the short term, but some patients need redilation in the further course (particularly young patients). Best long term results are obtained if the lower esophageal sphincter pressure can be reduced below 10 mmHg. Major complications are rare after pneumatic dilation; the most serious complication is esophageal perforation, which occurs at a mean rate of about 2.5%. Considering the pros and cons of other effective forms of treatment of achalasia (esophagomyotomy and intrasphincteric injection of botulinum toxin), pneumatic dilation is still the treatment of choice in the majority of patients with achalasia.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2001/593657
spellingShingle Maximilian Bittinger
Martin Wienbeck
Pnematic Dilation in Achalasia
Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology
title Pnematic Dilation in Achalasia
title_full Pnematic Dilation in Achalasia
title_fullStr Pnematic Dilation in Achalasia
title_full_unstemmed Pnematic Dilation in Achalasia
title_short Pnematic Dilation in Achalasia
title_sort pnematic dilation in achalasia
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2001/593657
work_keys_str_mv AT maximilianbittinger pnematicdilationinachalasia
AT martinwienbeck pnematicdilationinachalasia