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Updated: Sep 26, 2026

Robotic Myotomy and Partial Fundoplication for Achalasia
Published on: August 11, 2023
Effect of tumour and chemoradiotherapy on oesophageal motility
S Tormey1, A Nasyr, D A McNamara
1RCSI Department of Surgery, James Connolly Memorial Hospital, Blanchardstown, Dublin, Ireland.
Background:
The contribution of dysmotility to dysphagia in oesophageal cancer is unclear.
Aim:
To examine oesophageal motility in patients with oesophageal carcinoma and to assess the effect of chemoradiotherapy on motility.
Methods:
Stationary manometry and 24-hour pH-metry were performed in 12 patients with oesophageal carcinoma and one week following completion of chemoradiotherapy using 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), cisplatin and 40Gy radiotherapy.
Results:
All patients had abnormal motility prior to treatment. Peristalsis was impaired in 11 patients with a mean (SD) of 25% (9) of waves normally propagated. Eight patients had 20% or more simultaneous waves. Following chemoradiotherapy, the percentage of waves normally propagated increased from 25% (9) to 521% (10) (p < 0.03) and normal peristalsis was restored in four patients. The percentage of simultaneous waves decreased from 38% (11) to 21.6% (10) (p = 0.129) while the percentage of dropped or increased waves decreased from 20% (11) to 8.3% (4) (p = 0.264).
Conclusions:
Oesophageal motility is disturbed in oesophageal cancer. Dysphagia in oesophageal cancer may be partly explained by oesophageal dysmotility. This is improved by chemotherapy.
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