Follow-up of endoscopic pneumatic dilation for achalasia of cardia / 中华消化内镜杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the mid-to-long term therapeutic effect of endoscopic pneumatic dilation for achalasia of cardia (AC).Methods Endoscopic pneumatic dilation was used in 45 AC patients, with follow-up of 2-12 years. Eckardt score and Stooler grading were used before and after the operation for evaluation of curative effect of dilation. Results The operation success rate was 97. 8%( 44/45) and the effective remission rate was 93. 2%( 41/44 ). No massive hemorrhage, perforation or other serious complications occurred.The longest follow-up time was up to 144 months.Ten cases were followed up for over 60 months. Patients′symptoms relieved significantly (P＜0. 01). Eckardt scores in 24 months and 60 months after operation significantly decreased compared with those before the operation ( P＜0. 01). But Eckardt score in 60 months was higher than that in 24 months ( P＜0. 01). The length of the disease history was positively related to post-operative scores, and negatively related to efficacy ( P＜0. 01). Conclusion Endoscopic balloon dilation is a satisfactory therapy to AC with good efficacy and safety.