The conservative treatment of achalasia of the esophagus with balloon or mechanical
dilators may be difficult, or even impossible, if the esophagus in an advanced illness
is so tortuous (sigmoid esophagus) that the dilator cannot be placed in the cardia.
An endoscope dilator with the aid of which dilation is readily possible even in such
cases, has been developed by various individuals. Our own experience and the results
obtained in 11 patients with esophageal achalasia treated with the endoscope dilator,
are presented. The particular advantages of this method of treatment are simple, low-risk
placement of the balloon in the cardia before and during dilation, and the possibility
of inspecting the cardia for complications immediately after dilation.
Achalasia of the esophagus - Esophageal motor disease - Endoscope dilator - Dilation
for achalasia of the esophagus
