Achalasia is a disorder characterized by aperistalsis of the esophageal body and impaired relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter. Dysphagia and regurgitation of undigested, retained food or accumulated saliva are common presenting symptoms. Recurrent aspiration pneumonia may also occur particularly in older patients [1]. Patients with achalasia are clearly at a high risk for aspiration du...

Background and study aims  In order to perform peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) safely, retained liquid and food debris must be removed before the procedure is started. We developed a novel technique using a super-slim gastroscope, and a gastric tube to remove retained food debris in achalasia patients. In this study, the safety and efficacy of this novel technique were investigated. Patient...

Esophageal achalasia is a primary esophageal motility disorder. Commonly used treatments are botulinum toxin injections, endoscopic balloon dilation and surgical myotomy with or without fundoplication. We are hereby presenting the first case of laproscopic myotomy with fundoplication performed in Croatia. A 32-year old female was admitted to the hospital due to the symptoms of dysphagia, regurg...

OBJECTIVE To report a case of a 9-year-old female presented with esophageal achalasia and approached with surgery. The authors discuss the treatment and make a literature review on the topic. DESCRIPTION Childhood esophageal achalasia is an unusual disease, often with unknown etiology. The main symptoms are esophageal vomits, dysphagia and weight loss. The diagnosis can be made by esophagogra...

Various operative techniques have been used for esophageal achalasia, but a definitive technique has not been established yet. During 1958-1994, 117 patients with esophageal achalasia were treated at our clinic. The techniques of Heller and Wendel or the modified Girard method have been successfully performed on 83 cases without any postoperative accidents. In 72 (87%) of these cases, the opera...

Allgrove syndrome is a very rare seen disorder with an autosomal recessive trait. The three characteristics of disease are alacrima, achalasia and adrenal failure. Alacrimia is the first manifestation in most cases. Achalasia and adrenal failure are seen later. Neurological involvement is rare and usually occurs in older age. A woman 22 years old admitted to our hospital with adrenal failure cr...

Bulbar weakness and fatigue resulting in dysphagia and dysarthria is common in myasthenia gravis. In chronic MG it is often assumed that these symptoms herald an exacerbation of the patient's disease and doses of cholinergic agents and immunomodulatory therapies may be increased, along with initiation of plasma exchange. A case is presented in which dysphagia was refractory to standard MG thera...

We present a case in which we used a thoracoscopic approach for resection of multiple esophageal carcinomas diagnosed 33 years after surgery for esophageal achalasia. A 68-year-old Japanese man had been diagnosed with esophageal achalasia and underwent surgical treatment 33 years earlier. He was examined at our hospital for annual routine checkup in which upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed...

The condition achalasia cardia is rare in paediatric age group, especially in infants. An 11-month-old female infant presented with complaints of oronasal regurgitation since birth and failure to thrive. Upper GI contrast study was conducted which demonstrated massive dilatation of lower 2/3(rd) of oesophagus with abrupt narrowing at lower oesophageal sphincter and positive 'bird beak sign'. On...