[Treatment of upper esophageal sphincter achalasia as a little-known chapter of surgery].

It is presented the results of survey and treatment of 32 patients with upper esophageal sphincter achalasia. In 29 of them achalasia was consequence of stroke in brain stem (Zakharchenko-Wallenberg syndrome). 28 patients were operated using P. Chodoch method in 7 cases and author's technique of myotomy with pharyngoesophageal junction plasty in 21 patients. Plastic myotomy gives excellent and good results in 81% of observations due to preservation of innervation of muscles providing function of epiglottis and pharyngeal constrictors. Severe condition of patients and elderly age are indication for P. Chodoch myotomy.