ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the therapeutic efficacy of electrical stimulation and balloon dilatation in treating cricopharyngeal achalasia after a brainstem stroke.Methods Thirty dysphagia patients with cricopharyngeal achalasia after a brainstem stroke were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group, each of 15.The experimental group was given real-time electrical stimulation and balloon dilatation, while the control group was treated using common electrical stimulation and balloon dilatation.Results Twenty-six patients in the 2 groups returned to oral feeding after treatment.Videofluoroscopy revealed that the cricopharyngeal sphincter had relaxed and the food passed successfully when swallowing.No aspiration was observed.There was no significant difference in swallowing between the two groups, but the average treatment time, days of treatment and cost of therapy in the experimental group were significantly less than in the control group.Conclusions Either real-time electrical stimulation or common electrical stimulation combined with balloon dilatation can treat dysphagia effectively, but the former can shorten the course of treatment and lower its cost.