THERAPEUTIC EVALUATION OF THE TREATMENT FOR ACHALASIA WITH A PNEUMATIC DILATOR ATTACHED TO A PANENDOSCOPE

Abstract

Nine cases of achalasia were treated with the pneumatic dilator attached to a panendoscope which was deviced by us. The pneumatic dilator was inflated 180 to 300 mmHg for one minute and then repeated twice in the first treatment. A few days later, the next treatment was performed at the same range of pressure and duration of inflation. A total of four attempts were made. A balloon with a diameter of 30 mm is used at the first 2 procedures and at each subsequent procedure the caliber of the balloon was 40 mm. After treatment, a significant decrease in a mean resting lower esophageal pressure was obtained (from 60.3 to 20.3 mmHg in 4 cases, p<0.05). The mean increase rate of body weight one month after treatment was 10.5 percent. This method appears to be easier, safer than the conventional method and a successful method of treatment.