Management Of Esophageal Achalasia Research Articles

Modern Achalasia: Diagnosis, Classification, and Treatment.

Achalasia is a major esophageal motor disorder featured by the altered relaxation of the esophagogastric junction in the absence of effective peristaltic activity. As a consequence of the esophageal outflow obstruction, achalasia patients present with clinical symptoms of dysphagia, chest pain, weight loss, and regurgitation of indigested food. Other less specific symptoms can also present including heartburn, chronic cough, and aspiration pneumonia. The delay in diagnosis, particularly when the presenting symptoms mimic those of gastroesophageal reflux disease, may be as long as several years. The widespread use of high-resolution manometry has permitted earlier detection and uncovered achalasia phenotypes which can have prognostic and therapeutic implications. Other tools have also emerged to help define achalasia severity and which can be used as objective measures of response to therapy including the timed barium esophagogram and the functional lumen imaging probe. Such diagnostic innovations, along with the increased awareness by clinicians and patients due to the availability of alternative therapeutic approaches (laparoscopic and robotic Heller myotomy, and peroral endoscopic myotomy) have radically changed the natural history of the disorder. Herein, we report the most recent advances in the diagnosis, classification, and management of esophageal achalasia and underline the still-grey areas that needs to be addressed by future research to reach the goal of personalizing treatment.

Esophageal Acalasia: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis and Management

Achalasia is a rare disease, but it can lead to loss of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) causing many complications in the gastrointestinal tract. Achalasia has a good prognosis if treated promptly, but the symptoms are non-specific. The aim of this study was to find out more about the pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of esophageal achalasia. This study was conducted on databases, such as PubMed, Google Schoolar, and Sience Direct. Inclusion criteria were free full text published in 2017-2022. The results of the literature review obtained by achalasia can cause functional obstruction at the gastroesophageal junction. Gradual neurodegeneration due to lack of non-cholinergic inhibitory ganglion cells results in an imbalance of inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmission, resulting in over-contraction of the lower esophageal sphincter and loss of regulation leading to achalasia. Although the incidence of achalasia is very rare, if not treated promptly, it will lead to airway obstruction and cause sudden death. Therapy in patients with achalasia requires long-term follow-up, as the nature of available therapy is palliative, meaning recurrence will often occur. In conclusion, achalasia is an esophageal motility disorder that causes disruption of esophageal peristalsis and malfunction of the esophageal sphincter characterized by difficulty swallowing. Although the incidence of achalasia is very rare, if not treated immediately, it will lead to respiratory obstruction and death.

Achalasia of the Esophagus at Donka National Hospital: A Case Report

Background: Esophageal achalasia is an esophageal motility disorder of unknown etiology that results in impaired lower esophageal sphincter relaxation and loss of esophageal peristalsis. The aim of our study was to show our experience in the management of esophageal achalasia in a case treated by laparotomy in our service. Case Report: 21-year-old patient, student, admitted to our department for progressive dysphagia to solids accompanied by regurgitation, epigastric pain, nocturnal cough and weight loss, evolving for 5 years. ATCD of pulmonary tuberculosis. The physical examination noted a deterioration in general condition, stage (I) of the WHO; there was hypo coloration of the integuments and conjunctivae, TA=120/80mmHg, Pulse=70/min. The abdomen was symmetrical with presence of sluggish skin folds, supple and painless without a palpable mass, the digital rectal examination did not present any particularity. The thorax was symmetrical with a FR=20 c/mn. The biology showed a normo chrome and normocytic anemia of 8 g/l Group O+. The esogastroduodenal transit was in favor of an amputation (tight stenosis) extended on the cardia with megaesophagus upstream. We performed a cardiomyotomy according to Heller associated with a hemivalve according to Toupet. We performed a followed by preesophageal and subhepatic drainage. The postoperative course was simple, marked by a resumption of food on D6 postoperatively. The control test carried out with gastrographine 10 days after the surgical intervention noted a regression of the signs with passage of the product of contrast in the small intestine. The patient seen again 6 months after the operation showed no particularities. Conclusion: Achalasia is a chronic esophageal motility disorder characterized by the inability of the lower esophageal sphincter to relax. Heller cardiomyotomy by laparotomy associated with Toupet-type fundoplication retains its place in its management in our exercise context.

The Evolution of the Treatment of Esophageal Achalasia: From the Open to the Minimally Invasive Approach

Achalasia is a primary esophageal motility disorder characterized by lack of esophageal peristalsis and partial or absent relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter in response to swallowing. This study aimed to provide an overview of the evolution of the surgical treatment for esophageal achalasia, from the open to the minimally invasive approach. Literature review. No curative treatment exists for this disorder. At the beginning of the 20th century, surgical esophagoplasties and cardioplasties were mostly done to treat achalasia. The description of the esophageal myotomy by Heller changed the treatment paradigm and rapidly became the treatment of choice. For many years the esophagomyotomy was done with either an open transthoracic or transabdominal approach. With the advancements of minimally invasive surgery, thoracoscopic and laparoscopic operations became available. The ability to add a fundoplication for the prevention of reflux made the laparoscopic Heller myotomy with partial fundoplication the operation of choice. Surgical management of esophageal achalasia has significantly evolved in the last century. Currently, minimally invasive Heller myotomy with partial fundoplication is the standard surgical treatment of achalasia.

Management of Esophageal Achalasia after Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: Narrative Review of the Literature.

The development of achalasia after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is rare. Heller myotomy (HM) is the gold standard treatment while peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is an emerging technique with promising results. The aim of this narrative review was to summarize the current knowledge on the treatment of esophageal achalasia after RYGB. PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases were consulted. All articles that described the management of achalasia after RYGB were included in this narrative review. Twelve studies for a total of 28 patients were included. The age of the patient population ranged from 44 to 70years old and 80% were females. Overall, 61.5% underwent laparoscopic RYGB while 38.5% underwent open RYBG. The elapsed time from the RYGB to myotomy ranged from 14months to 14years. Dysphagia (64%) and regurgitation (60.7%) were the most commonly reported symptoms; type I achalasia was diagnosed in 50% of patients. Surgical HM was performed in 17 patients (61%) while POEM was performed in 11 patients (39%). Postoperative morbidity was 3.6% with no differences comparing surgical HM and POEM (6% vs. 0%, p = 0.43). The follow-up time ranged from 1 to 43months. The overall recurrence rate requiring reoperation was 7% with no differences comparing surgical HM and POEM (12% vs. 0%; p = 0.25). Both HM and POEM seem feasible, safe, and effective in the management of achalasia after RYGB. The role of POEM in the management algorithm of these patients should be further evaluated.

Management of Esophageal Achalasia in Quebec.

BackgroundEsophageal achalasia is a defective relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter with a loss of esophageal peristalsis causing dysphagia. Treatment can be Heller myotomy, pneumatic balloon dilation, Botox injections, peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) or medical. The main objective of the study was to measure the extent of post-treatment dysphagia depending on the type of treatment.MethodsThis was a retrospective study conducted at the Centre Hospitalier de l’Universite de Montreal (CHUM) between 2011 and 2017. All patients with manometric diagnostic of achalasia in our department were included. Data were collected with the electronic health record and a standardized post-treatment telephone survey to evaluate the extent of dysphagia and the use of proton pump inhibitor (PPI).ResultsA total of 169 patients were included. The most frequent treatments were Heller myotomy (60%), Botox injection (18%) and endoscopic balloon dilation (16%). There was a significant difference in the management of patients treated at the CHUM and outside the CHUM for the frequency of pneumatic dilation (28 vs. 7%; P = 0.001) and Heller myotomy (49 vs. 69%; P = 0.02). An Eckardt score ≤ 3 was found in 80% of patients. No significant score difference was found between the CHUM and outside CHUM groups or between the different treatments. The post-treatment use of PPI was of 49% and was not significantly different depending on the site or the type of treatment.ConclusionHeller myotomy stays the most frequent treatment, especially outside our tertiary center. The rate of post-treatment dysphagia is low no matter the treatment choice. The use of PPI stays frequent regardless of the management site or the type of treatment used.

Diagnosis and management of esophageal achalasia.

Achalasia is a rare esophageal motility disorder that is usually idiopathic in origin. It is characterized by dysphagia, and patients often have chest pain, regurgitation, weight loss, and an abnormal barium radiograph showing esophageal dilation with narrowing at the gastroesophageal junction. Abnormal or absent esophageal peristalsis and impaired relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) are typically seen on esophageal manometry. The advent of high resolution manometry (HRM) has allowed more precise diagnosis of achalasia, subtype designation, and differentiation from other esophageal motor disorders with an initial seminal publication in 2008 followed by further refinements of what has been termed the Chicago classification. Potential treatments include drugs, endoscopic botulinum toxin injection, balloon dilation, traditional surgery (usually laparoscopic Heller myotomy; LHM), and a novel, less invasive, natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) approach to Heller myotomy termed peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM). The first human POEM was performed in 2008, with the first publication appearing in 2010 and evidence now rapidly accumulating showing POEM to be comparable to traditional surgery in terms of clinical success and radiologic and manometric post-therapy outcomes. This review discusses the diagnosis and management of achalasia with particular emphasis on the recent developments of HRM and POEM, which arguably represent the most important advances in the field since the advent of laparoscopic Heller myotomy in the 1990s.

Surgical management of esophageal achalasia: Evolution of an institutional approach to minimally invasive repair

BackgroundSurgical management of esophageal achalasia (EA) in children has transitioned over the past 2 decades to predominantly involve laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) or minimally invasive surgery (MIS). More recently, peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has been utilized to treat achalasia in children. Since the overall experience with surgical management of EA is contingent upon disease incidence and surgeon experience, the aim of this study is to report a single institutional contemporary experience for outcomes of surgical treatment of EA by LHM and POEM, with regards to other comparable series in children. MethodsAn IRB approved retrospective review of all patients with EA who underwent treatment by a surgical approach at a tertiary US children's hospital from 2006 to 2015. Data including demographics, operative approach, Eckardt scores pre- and postoperatively, complications, outcomes, and follow-up were analyzed. ResultsA total of 33 patients underwent 35 operative procedures to treat achalasia. Of these operations; 25 patients underwent laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) with Dor fundoplication; 4 patients underwent LHM alone; 2 patients underwent LHM with Thal fundoplication; 2 patients underwent primary POEM; 2 patients who had had LHM with Dor fundoplication underwent redo LHM with takedown of Dor fundoplication. Intraoperative complications included 2 mucosal perforations (6%), 1 aspiration, 1 pneumothorax (1 POEM patient). Follow ranged from 8months to 7years (8–84months). There were no deaths and no conversions to open operations. Five patients required intervention after surgical treatment of achalasia for recurrent dysphagia including 3 who underwent between 1 and 3 pneumatic dilations; and 2 who had redo LHM with takedown of Dor fundoplication with all patients achieving complete resolution of symptoms. ConclusionsEsophageal achalasia in children occurs at a much lower incidence than in adults as documented by published series describing the surgical treatment in children. We believe the MIS surgical approach remains the standard of care for this condition in children and describe the surgical outcomes and complications for LHM, as well as, the introduction of the POEM technique in our center for treating achalasia. Our institutional experience described herein represents the largest in the “MIS era” with excellent results. We will refer to alterations in our practice that have included the use of flexible endoscopy in 100% of LHM cases and use of the endoscopic functional lumen imaging probe (EndoFLIP) in both LHM and POEM cases which we believe enables adequate Heller myotomy.

G446(P) An Unusual cause of Chronic Cough in a 15 year old girl

AimsCoughing is one of the most common paediatric presentations both in primary and secondary care. We present an unusual cause of chronic cough in a teenager.MethodA 15 year old girl...

The management of esophageal achalasia: from diagnosis to surgical treatment

The goal of this review is to illustrate our approach to patients with achalasia in terms of preoperative evaluation and surgical technique. Indications, patient selection and management are herein discussed. Specifically, we illustrate the pathogenetic theories and diagnostic algorithm with current up-to-date techniques to diagnose achalasia and its manometric variants. Finally, we focus on the therapeutic approaches available today: medical and surgical. A special emphasis is given on the surgical treatment of achalasia and we provide the reader with a detailed description of our pre and postoperative management.

Diaphragmatic Hernia after Laparoscopic Esophagomyotomy for Esophageal Achalasia in Pregnancy

Background. The optimal treatment for management of esophageal achalasia in pregnancy is controversial. Little information exists about pregnancy outcome after successful myotomy. Case. Achalasia in pregnancy was diagnosed when a patient presented with pneumomediastinum from microrupture of the overdistended esophagus. An attempt at surgical correction failed due to the development of aspiration pneumonia with general anesthesia. Conservative medical therapy was undertaken, but fetal growth restriction developed. The patient underwent interval surgical correction, but subsequent pregnancy 6 months later was complicated by acute diaphragmatic hernia necessitating preterm delivery. Conclusion. Prior to surgery in pregnancy, emptying the dilated esophagus via nasoesophageal tube suctioning maybe warranted to avoid aspiration. Women, despite having undergone successful myotomy, should be counseled on the risks of pregnancy and to avoid pregnancy for at least 1 year thereafter.

Clinical Study on Combined Therapy of Botulinum Toxin Injection and Small Balloon Dilation in Patients with Esophageal Achalasia

Background and Study Aims: To compare the efficiency of pneumatic balloon dilation, botulinum toxin (BT) injection, and the combination of the two modalities in the management of esophageal achalasia. Patients and Methods: Ninety patients with esophageal achalasia were randomly divided into three groups according to different interventions, i.e. patients in group A received 100 U BT injection; patients in group B were given balloon dilation, and patients in group C were subjected to balloon dilation plus 100 U BT injection 15 days after the dilation. Clinical assessment and esophageal manometry were performed by experienced gastroenterologists. All patients were followed-up for more than 2 years. Results: At any time after the treatment, the lower esophageal sphincter pressure and symptom score in group C were lower compared with those in group A or group B (p < 0.05). At 2 years after treatment, the response rate in group C remained 56.67%, still higher than those in the other groups (p < 0.05); the response rate in group B was only 35.71% (10/28); the response rate in group A was 13.79%, the lowest among the three groups. Conclusions: The efficiency of the combination of 100 U BT administration and small balloon dilation is superior to the single modality approach.

Diagnosis and management of esophageal achalasia in children: analysis of 13 cases

Esophageal achalasia is a rare disease and there have been very few reports about it, especially in children. We reviewed our experience in dealing with esophageal achalasia in 13 children. Thirteen children (6 boys and 7 girls), who had been diagnosed with achalasia over a 12-year period between May 1993 and October 2005, were analysed with regard to clinical manifestations, esophageal manometry, endoscopic findings, and treatment. Their age ranged from 3 years to 14 years and 5 months (average 10.3 years) at the time of diagnosis. In the 13 children, 3 had a family history of esophageal achalasia, 2 of them were sisters. All the 3 children suffered from achalasia/alacrimia/ACTH deficiency. Dysphagia was the most common symptom in the affected children. Vomiting/regurgitation, retrosternal pain, retarded growth, and respiratory symptoms were also observed in some patients. Heller's esophagocardiomyotomy was performed in 9 (69.23%) children, among whom 3 had an antireflux operation at the same time. In the remaining 4 children, 3 received a pneumatic dilatation and 1 received regular administration of nifedipine. Twelve patients were followed up: 8 patients by surgery were cured and have been in perfect condition until now, 3 patients recovered fairly, and 1 patient showed improvement. Esophageal manometry combined with X-ray examination proves to be an effective diagnostic method for achalasia. It is also effective in evaluating the result of treatment. Heller's esophagocardiomyotomy is a treatment of choice for children with achalasia because of its safety and long-term effective results after surgery.

Comparison of endoscopic balloon dilation with surgical therapy in management of esophageal achalasia

Objective To compare the effects and safety of endoscopic balloon dilation with surgical therapy in treating esophageal achalasia. Methods The patients who were diagnosed as achalasia of cardia from Jan. 2002 to Dec. 2007 were consecutively collected. All patients were divided into endoscopic balloon dilation group (endoscopy group), thorascopic / laparoseopic surgery group (telescopy group) and standard thoracotomy group (operation group). The efficacy, relapse rate and safety were compared among three groups. Results Ninety eight patients were enrolled. There were 57 patients in endoscopy group, 24 patients in telescopy group, and 17 patients in opreation group. All of the patients completed the treatment. There was one case (1.6%) in endoscopy group complicated with esophageal rupture, two (8.3%) in telescopy group complicated with esophageal fistula, and one (5.9%) in operation group complicated with severe post-operation pneumonia infection, acute respiratory distress syndrome and infectious shock. The rest patients had symptomatic relief of dysphagia in different degrees after therapy, and that was further confirmed by symptoms assessment, x-ray, or endoscopic examination after one month. Five patients (8.9%) in endoscopy group relapsed, with a duration of 5 to 31 months (mean 8 months), and underwent re-dilation or stent placement successfully. One patient (4.2%) in telescopy group relapsed after 6 months and underwent re-dilation successfully. No one relapsed in operation group. Conclusions Compared with standard operation group and telescopy group, endoscopic balloon dilation is deserved to use widely in clinical application with its advantages of simple, convenient and low complication. In spite of its relapse, it still can be remedied well by endoscopic re-dilation or stent placement. Key words: Esophageal achalasia; Cardia; Endoscopig, digestive system; Surgical procedures, operative

A case of esophageal achalasia that showed remarkable effect in response to balloon dilatation

A 32-year-old man was diagnosed with esophageal achalasia and treated with Ca antagonist as an outpatient. A reflux symptom that developed after a meal sometime from November, 2002, was gradually worse, and he was admitted for treatment with balloon dilatation on July 4, 2003. We performed esophageal dilatation with a Rigiflex ABD Achalasia Balloon Dilator (Boston Scientific, Tokyo, Japan) , using a low-compliance balloon to achieve a 3cm-diameter of dilatation on the same day. According to the previous reports, this dilatation method and surgical method revealed equal efficacy in the treatment. We expanded the balloon in 10psi for three minutes and performed dilatation under the same condition twice. Marked improvement of clinical symptom was obtained on the next day. He had no serious complications such esophageal perforation and was discharged on July 7. At the time of this report the symptom had not recurred, and he continues to be followed-up as an outpatient. We suggest that balloon dilatation therapy should be treatment of choice next to medication in the management of esophageal achalasia.

A review of achalasia in 33 children.

We reviewed our experience in the diagnosis and management of esophageal achalasia in 33 children over a 25-year period at a single center by a retrospective chart review of all patients diagnosed with achalasia between December 1, 1975 and January 30, 2001. There were 33 cases ranging from 5 months to 16 years of age at the time of presentation (17 boys and 16 girls). Although dysphagia and vomiting were the commonest presenting symptoms, weight loss, chest pain, coughing, and recurrent pneumonia also occurred in many patients. Barium contrast study of the esophagus was the initial diagnostic modality followed by esophageal manometry. An upper endoscopy was also performed in 78.7% of cases. Management was predominantly surgical; however, seven recently diagnosed patients opted for botulinum toxin (botox) injection as the first line of treatment. The follow-up duration varied from 10 months to 10 years (mean 4.71 +/- 3.2 years). Postsurgical complications included gastroesophageal reflux disease in five patients who had not received a simultaneous antireflux procedure and "residual achalasia" in two patients, who both responded to a single botox injection.

Management of idiopathic achalasia: short-term and long-term outcomes.

This article reviews current trends in management of esophageal achalasia, highlighting short-term outcome and cost comparisons of three treatments: botulinum toxin injection, pneumatic dilation, and laparoscopic myotomy. The quality of life resulting from these palliative treatments is also discussed, as are long-term outcomes.

Surgical management of esophageal achalasia.

Between 1970 and 1983, 46 patients were hospitalized in the Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the Metropolitan Nashville General Hospital for treatment of achalasia. All patients had been symptomatic for at least two years. Efforts were made initially to manage most of these patients (40) with periodic esophageal dilatation. This was successful in only six cases (15%). In four instances (10%), patients had esophageal perforation. Thirty patients have had esophagomyotomy (Heller procedure), and 14 of these had an associated antireflux procedure. Three had proximal gastric vagotomy for associated duodenal ulcer disease. Twenty-seven (90%) have had a good result, three died postoperatively, and two elderly patients had postoperative myocardial infarction. The other patient had sepsis after repair of a perforated esophagus. While periodic esophageal dilatation is necessary in patients who may not tolerate an operative procedure, most patients with achalasia are best treated with Heller esophagomyotomy.