Pneumatic dilation under general anesthesia after unsuccessful cardiomyotomy for achalasia

A 12-year-old girl with achalasia was treated successfully under general anesthesia with pneumatic dilation after she had experienced two unsuccessful surgical procedures. The Mosher dilator was passed into the stomach by threading it over a guide wire. Our experience suggests that pneumatic dilation can be performed in children or adults after surgical failure and that general anesthesia may be employed.