Long-Term Clinical, Radiological and Manometric Follow-Up of Patients with Achalasia Treated with Pneumatic Dilatation

Twelve consecutive patients with achalasia of the esophagus were submitted to forceful pneumatic dilatation A significant decrease in resting gastroesophageal sphincter pressure was obtained immediately after this therapy (p < 0.001). Two cases failed later, and one of them had to be operated. Ten patients were followed up to 72 months. They had no esophageal symptoms and resting gastroesophageal sphincter pressure remained in low values. Pneumatic dilatation is an adequate treatment for this condition.