Endoscopic balloon dilatation for patients with achalasia / 中华消化内镜杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic balloon dilatation for patients with achalasia. Methods Patients with achalasia, were treated by single or double esophageal balloon dilatation under endoscopy,f ollowed up survey by gastroduodenal endoscopy and esophageal barium radiography as well as their symptoms were investigated periodically. Results The dysphagia symptoms remitted in all of the 43 patients,and mucosal lacerations,abrasions a nd oozing of blood, were found in this process but without complication of perf oration,haematemesis and melena.The following up ranged from 3 months to over 4. 8 yrs,and average was 2.6 yrs.The rate of remission of dysphagia symptoms 90.7 ％ (39/43) at six months,85.3％ (29/34) at 1 yr,82.6％ (19/23) at 2 yrs and 82.4 ％ (14/17) at 3 yrs,and the rate of recurrence of symptoms was 9.3％ (4/43)、 1 4.7％ (5/34)、 17.4％ (4/23)、 17.6％ (3/17),respectively.In addition,there were 37.2％ (16 cases)of patients with acid－ reflux symptoms,30.2％ (13 cases)heart burn and 14.0％ (6 cases)reflux esophagitis during the followed－ up. Conclusion Endoscopic esophageal balloon dilatation for achalasia is an effective and saf e method not only in the short－ term but also in the long－ term.