A case of secondary achalasia caused by scar tissue formation after distal gastrectomy

Abstract

A 64-year-old man underwent distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer. His postoperative recovery was uneventful until he suddenly started complaining of difficulty swallowing. Fluoroscopy revealed narrowing of the abdominal esophagus into a spindle-like shape. Endoscopic esophageal balloon dilatation was performed with no improvement in his condition. We concluded that the patient could not eat because of mechanical stenosis of the gastroesophageal junction. Reoperation was performed via laparotomy. The abdominal esophagus and gastroesophageal junction were found to have become stiff with adhesions, probably as a result of surgical scarring. We incised the esophageal muscle layer and dissected adhesions around the abdominal esophagus to relieve esophageal stenosis. After reoperation, the patient was able to eat. We recommend that in cases of sudden onset dysphagia after distal gastrectomy, the possibility of secondary achalasia because of scar tissue formation should be considered.