Long oesophageal myotomy for diffuse spasm of the oesophagus

The symptoms of chest pain and dysphagia together with the typical radiological features of non-peristaltic segmental oesophageal contractions allowed the diagnosis of diffuse oesophageal spasm to be made in ten patients at The Prince Charles Hospital over the last six years. Eight patients have undergone long oesophageal myotomy with sparing of the lower oesophageal sphincter. All patients had immediate postoperative relief of symptoms, with postoperative cine radiographic examination in all patients demonstrating an inert oesophagus with adequate drainage and no gastro-oesophageal reflux. Two patients subsequently developed progressive dysphagia, one requiring a modified Heller's procedure. Because of the good result in six patients, sparing of the lower oesophageal sphincter with long oesophageal myotomy is recommended.