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[Achalasia in children: Diagnostic opportunities and therapeutical options]
G Aprodu1, D G Goţia, S Gavrilescu
1Facultatea de Medicină Iaşi Spitalul de Copii Sf. Maria, Universitatea de Medicină şi Farmacie Gr. T. Popa Iaşi.
Insights
This study reviews the treatment of achalasia, a rare esophageal disorder affecting children. Surgical myomectomy with antireflux procedures proved effective in managing this condition in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Esophageal Motility Disorders
- Surgical Interventions
Background:
- Achalasia is a rare functional esophageal disorder characterized by the failure of the distal esophagus to relax during swallowing.
- This condition can lead to significant morbidity, particularly in pediatric populations, with potential links to developmental disorders.
- Current treatment options include myorelaxants, esophageal dilations, and surgical myomectomy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present the experience of treating pediatric achalasia patients.
- To evaluate the efficacy of surgical intervention in children with achalasia.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 5 pediatric achalasia cases treated between 1991 and 1998.
- Surgical treatment involved distal esophageal myomectomy combined with an antireflux procedure.
Main Results:
- The study included 5 children diagnosed with achalasia.
- All patients underwent distal esophageal myomectomy and an antireflux procedure.
- Outcomes and follow-up data were analyzed to assess treatment effectiveness.
Conclusions:
- Distal esophageal myomectomy followed by an antireflux procedure is a viable treatment for pediatric achalasia.
- Surgical management can effectively address the functional obstruction and associated morbidity in children.
- Further research may explore long-term outcomes and comparative effectiveness of different treatment modalities.
Abstract:
Achalasia is a functional disorder of the distal esophagus, which fails to relax during swallowing. Although being rare, this disorder is the source of a significant morbidity, including developmental disorders in children. Several therapeutical options are available: myorelaxants administration, esophageal dilations and surgery--distal esophageal myomectomy followed by an antireflux procedure. The paper introduces our experience in treating a number of 5 children between 1991 and 1998.