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Swallowing disorders after esophageal atresia evaluated with videomanometry
M Montgomery1, H Witt, R Kuylenstierna
1Department of Pediatric Surgery, St. Göran's/Karolinska Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
Background:
Patients with repaired esophageal atresia often show persistent motility disorders of the esophagus.
Methods:
In this study, the authors used a newly developed method, videomanometry, to study intraluminal pressures and function of the pharynx and upper esophagus in such a group of patients and compared the results with those in healthy age-matched controls.
Results:
A significant difference was found between timing of the pharynx contraction and upper esophageal sphincter (UES) relaxation, indicating a dyscoordination of swallowing in the patient group. Transit time of bolus from the pharynx to the esophagus was also shorter for the patient group. Such dyscoordination may be a risk factor that can cause aspiration and respiratory symptoms.
Conclusion:
UES resting pressure and residual pressure on swallowing, did not differ between the two groups.