Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 8, 2026

Robotic Myotomy and Partial Fundoplication for Achalasia
Published on: August 11, 2023
Small-volume gallbladders and decreased motility in patients with achalasia
Hakan Alagozlu1, Selahattin Unal, Tarkan Karakan
1Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Gazi University Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. alagozster@gmail.com
Aim/Background:
Achalasia may be associated with extraesophageal dysmotility. However, this relation is still poorly understood. In the present study, we used noninvasive real-time ultrasonography to examine the motility function of the gallbladder in the patients with achalasia.
Materials And Methods:
Thirty-three achalasic patients and 33 healthy volunteers were included in the study. All subjects were investigated after 12 hours of fasting and 30 minutes after a standard test meal. Premeal and postmeal gallbladder volumes were used for calculation of the ejection fraction of the gallbladder and fasting gallbladder volume.
Results:
The mean fasting volume (18.52+/-1.45 vs. 24.63+/-1.84 cm; P<0.05) and ejection fractions of gallbladder (35.84+/-4.12 vs. 54.47+/-2.47; P<0.05) in the patients with achalasia were lower than the control group.
Conclusions:
Such a finding may confirm the possible extraesophageal extension of primary achalasia. Achalasic patients have smaller gallbladders than do others. It could be speculated that it is congenital and/or achalasic patients' gallbladder has incomplete relaxation (as in the lower esophageal sphincter of the achalasia).
Related Concept Videos
Esophageal Achalasia
Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Serotonin Receptor Agonists
Factors Influencing Drug Absorption: Disease States and Pharmacology
Substances such as alcohol and specific drugs, including antineoplastics, can also negatively impact drug absorption. For instance,...
Gastric Motility
Peristaltic Waves and Chyme Formation
Upon food entry, the stomach initiates...
Pyloric Obstruction
