Association Between Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease After Pneumatic Balloon Dilatation and Clinical Course in Patients With Achalasia

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The occurrence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is known to be associated with lower post-treatment lower esophageal sphincter pressure in patients with achalasia. This study aimed to elucidate whether GERD after pneumatic balloon dilatation (PD) has a prognostic role and to investigate how the clinical course of GERD is. METHODS: A total of 79 consecutive patients who were first diagnosed with primary achalasia and underwent PD as an initial treatment were included in this retrospective study. Single PD was performed using a 3.0 cm balloon. The patients were divided into two groups: 1) who developed GERD after PD (GERD group) and 2) who did not develop GERD after PD (non-GERD group). GERD was defined as pathological acid exposure, reflux esophagitis or typical reflux symptoms. RESULTS: Twenty one patients (26.6%) developed GERD after PD during follow-up. There were no significant differences between the two groups in demographic or clinical factors including pre- and post-treatment manometric results. All patients in GERD group were well responsive to maintenance proton pump inhibitor therapy including on demand therapy or did not require maintenance. During a median follow-up of 17.8 months (interquartile range, 7.1-42.7 months), achalasia recurred in 15 patients (19.0%). However, the incidence of recurrence did not differ according to the occurrence of GERD after PD. CONCLUSIONS: GERD often occurs after even a single PD for achalasia. However, GERD after PD is well responsive to PPI therapy. Our data suggest that GERD after PD during follow-up does not appear to have a prognostic role.

Manejo minimamente invasivo de la acalasia: la cirugía como la opción más efectiva / Surgery as the most effective option for minimally invasive treatente of achalasia

El tratamiento de la acalasia es controversial. Diferentes opciones se han propuesto: desde el manejo médico, los procedimientos endoscópicos, hasta, finalmente, el manejo quirúrgico. Con el advenimiento de la laparoscopia y todas las ventajas que trajo consigo la mínima invasión, Cushieri, en los años 90, fue el primero en realizar una miotomía de Heller por mínima invasión. Son numerosos los artículos y metaanálisis que han comparado las técnicas disponibles en cuanto a la mejoría de los síntomas y la calidad de vida, y la opción quirúrgica ha sido superior en todos los casos. En el servicio de mínima invasión del Hospital San Ignacio se llevó a cabo una cardiomiotomía por vía laparoscópica y endoscopia intraoperatoria para evaluar y determinar si hay perforaciones en la mucosa esofágica. Por ultimo con calibración de 50F se realizó una fundoplicatura parcial posterior tipo Toupet.

Dilatación neumática en acalasia: Experiencia a corto plazo con balones de diferentes diámetros

Introducción: la acalasia es un trastorno motor primario de etiología desconocida que afecta el esófago. Afecta ambos sexos y la disfagia es el síntoma cardinal (93%). Relajación inefectiva del esfínter esofágico inferior combinado con pérdida del peristaltismo esofágico impiden su vaciamiento y lo dilatan progresivamente. La dilatación neumática es en la actualidad el tratamiento de elección. Dilatación a demanda iniciando con 3 cm e incrementando el diámetro según respuesta, o iniciar con 3,5 cms son las dos corrientes actuales. Materiales y Métodos: 16 Pacientes con diagnóstico de acalasia. Grupo 1: 10 pacientes se dilataron de inicio con balón de 3 cm y luego opcionalmente con 3,5 cm de presentar nuevamente disfagia, 2 pacientes tenían Miotomía de Heller previa. Grupo 2: 6 pacientes se dilataron primariamente con balón de 3,5 cm. Resultados: el 60% de los dilatados con 3 cm presentaron disfagia entre 6 y 12 semanas después re-dilatándose luego con balón 3,5 cm. Un paciente presentó perforación y otro presento carcinoma epidermoide. Discusión: la dilatación neumática con balón es bien tolerada. No hubo mortalidad asociada al procedimiento. La disfagia mejoró rápidamente. Conclusión: Es una serie de corto seguimiento pero refleja una experiencia local importante, es necesario un seguimiento a largo plazo.

Introduction: Achalasia is a primary esophageal motor disorder of unknown etiology. It affects both sexes, and dysphagia is the cardinal symptom (93%). Ineffective relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter combined with loss of the esophageal peristalsis leads to impaired emptying and gradual esophageal dilatation. Pneumatic dilation is at the present time the treatment of election. Dilatation to demand beginning with 3 cm and increasing the diameter according to the response, or beginning with 3,5 cm are actually the actual currents. Materials and Methods: 16 patients with diagnosis of achalasia. Group 1: 10 patients were dilatated beginning with a 3 cm baloon and then with 3, 5 cm in those who presented dysphagia again, 2 patients had a previous Heller myotomy. Group 2: 6 patients were dilatated primarily with a 3, 5 cm baloon. Results: 60% of the patients who were dilatated with 3 cm presented dysphagia 6 -12 weeks later, being redilatated with a 3, 5 cm baloon. A patient presented perforation and another one presented squamous cell carcinoma. Discussion: Pneumatic balloon dilatation is well tolerated. There was not any mortality caused by the procedure and dysfagia improved quickly. Conclusion: it is a short term follow up series but it reflects an important local experience, being necessary a longer term.