Achalasia Questions & Answers

1. Gyawali CP. Achalasia: new perspectives on an old disease. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2016 Jan. 28(1):4-11. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

2. Gockel I, Becker J, Wouters MM, et al. Common variants in the HLA-DQ region confer susceptibility to idiopathic achalasia. Nat Genet. 2014 Aug. 46(8):901-4. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

3. Mysterious esophagus disease is autoimmune after all. Ku Leuven. Available at https://nieuws.kuleuven.be/en/content/2014/mysterious-esophagus-disease-is-autoimmune-after-all. Accessed: Oct 29, 2014.

4. Radulovic M, Schilero GJ, Yen C, et al. Greatly increased prevalence of esophageal dysmotility observed in persons with spinal cord injury. Dis Esophagus. 2015 Oct. 28(7):699-704. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

5. Sato Y, Fukudo S. Gastrointestinal symptoms and disorders in patients with eating disorders. Clin J Gastroenterol. 2015 Oct. 8(5):255-63. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

6. Herbella FA, Colleoni R, Bot L, Vicentine FP, Patti MG. High-resolution manometry findings in patients after sclerotherapy for esophageal varices. J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2016 Apr 30. 22(2):226-30. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

7. Smits M, van Lennep M, Vrijlandt R, et al. Pediatric achalasia in the Netherlands: Incidence, clinical course, and quality of life. J Pediatr. 2016 Feb. 169:110-5.e3. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

8. Ferri LE, Cools-Lartigue J, Cao J, et al. Clinical predictors of achalasia. Dis Esophagus. 2010 Jan. 23(1):76-81. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

9. Pandolfino JE, Gawron AJ. Achalasia: a systematic review. JAMA. 2015 May 12. 313(18):1841-52. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

10. Hand L. Achalasia: New guidelines address diagnosis, treatment. Medscape Medical News. August 1, 2013. Available at http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/808810. Accessed: October 22, 2014.

11. [Guideline] Vaezi MF, Pandolfino JE, Vela MF. ACG clinical guideline: diagnosis and management of achalasia. Am J Gastroenterol. 2013 Aug. 108(8):1238-49; quiz 1250. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].

12. Carlson DA, Ravi K, Kahrilas PJ, et al. Diagnosis of esophageal motility disorders: Esophageal pressure topography vs. conventional line tracing. Am J Gastroenterol. 2015 Jul. 110(7):967-77; quiz 978. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

13. Pandolfino JE, Ghosh SK, Rice J, Clarke JO, Kwiatek MA, Kahrilas PJ. Classifying esophageal motility by pressure topography characteristics: a study of 400 patients and 75 controls. Am J Gastroenterol. 2008 Jan. 103(1):27-37. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

14. Patti MG, Arcerito M, Tong J, et al. Importance of preoperative and postoperative pH monitoring in patients with esophageal achalasia. J Gastrointest Surg. 1997 Nov-Dec. 1(6):505-10. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

15. Kroupa R, Hep A, Dolina J, et al. Combined treatment of achalasia - botulinum toxin injection followed by pneumatic dilatation: long-term results. Dis Esophagus. 2010 Feb. 23(2):100-5. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

16. Vaezi MF, Richter JE, Wilcox CM, Schroeder PL, Birgisson S, Slaughter RL, et al. Botulinum toxin versus pneumatic dilatation in the treatment of achalasia: a randomised trial. Gut. Feb 1999. 44(2):231-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

17. Zaninotto G, Annese V, Costantini M, et al. Randomized controlled trial of botulinum toxin versus laparoscopic heller myotomy for esophageal achalasia. Ann Surg. 2004 Mar. 239(3):364-70. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

18. Pastor AC, Mills J, Marcon MA, Himidan S, Kim PC. A single center 26-year experience with treatment of esophageal achalasia: is there an optimal method?. J Pediatr Surg. 2009 Jul. 44(7):1349-54. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

19. Patti MG, Arcerito M, De Pinto M, et al. Comparison of thoracoscopic and laparoscopic Heller myotomy for achalasia. J Gastrointest Surg. 1998 Nov-Dec. 2(6):561-6. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

20. Inoue H, Minami H, Kobayashi Y, et al. Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for esophageal achalasia. Endoscopy. 2010 Apr. 42(4):265-71. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

21. Familiari P, Gigante G, Marchese M, et al. Peroral endoscopic myotomy for esophageal achalasia: Outcomes of the first 100 patients with short-term follow-up. Ann Surg. 2016 Jan. 263(1):82-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

22. Bhayani NH, Kurian AA, Dunst CM, Sharata AM, Rieder E, Swanstrom LL. A comparative study on comprehensive, objective outcomes of laparoscopic Heller myotomy with per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for achalasia. Ann Surg. 2014 Jun. 259(6):1098-103. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

23. Worrell SG, Alicuben ET, Boys J, DeMeester SR. Peroral endoscopic myotomy for achalasia in a thoracic surgical practice. Ann Thorac Surg. 2016 Jan. 101(1):218-25. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

24. Eckardt VF, Aignherr C, Bernhard G. Predictors of outcome in patients with achalasia treated by pneumatic dilation. Gastroenterology. 1992 Dec. 103(6):1732-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

25. Hunter JG, Trus TL, Branum GD, Waring JP. Laparoscopic Heller myotomy and fundoplication for achalasia. Ann Surg. 1997 Jun. 225(6):655-64; discussion 664-5. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

26. Patti MG, Fisichella PM, Perretta S, et al. Impact of minimally invasive surgery on the treatment of esophageal achalasia: a decade of change. J Am Coll Surg. 2003 May. 196(5):698-703; discussion 703-5. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

27. Richards WO, Torquati A, Holzman MD, et al. Heller myotomy versus Heller myotomy with Dor fundoplication for achalasia: a prospective randomized double-blind clinical trial. Ann Surg. 2004 Sep. 240(3):405-12; discussion 412-5. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

28. Torquati A, Lutfi R, Khaitan L, Sharp KW, Richards WO. Heller myotomy vs Heller myotomy plus Dor fundoplication: cost-utility analysis of a randomized trial. Surg Endosc. 2006 Mar. 20(3):389-93. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

29. Rebecchi F, Giaccone C, Farinella E, Campaci R, Morino M. Randomized controlled trial of laparoscopic Heller myotomy plus Dor fundoplication versus Nissen fundoplication for achalasia: long-term results. Ann Surg. 2008 Dec. 248(6):1023-30. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

30. Rawlings A, Soper NJ, Oelschlager B, et al. Laparoscopic Dor versus Toupet fundoplication following Heller myotomy for achalasia: results of a multicenter, prospective, randomized-controlled trial. Surg Endosc. 2012 Jan. 26(1):18-26. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

31. Patti MG, Herbella FA. Fundoplication after laparoscopic Heller myotomy for esophageal achalasia: what type?. J Gastrointest Surg. 2010 Sep. 14(9):1453-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

32. Rohof WO, Salvador R, Annese V, et al. Outcomes of treatment for achalasia depend on manometric subtype. Gastroenterology. 2013 Apr. 144(4):718-25; quiz e13-4. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

33. Elliott TR, Wu PI, Fuentealba S, Szczesniak M, de Carle DJ, Cook IJ. Long-term outcome following pneumatic dilatation as initial therapy for idiopathic achalasia: an 18-year single-centre experience. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2013 Jun. 37(12):1210-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

34. Reynoso JF, Tiwari MM, Tsang AW, Oleynikov D. Does illness severity matter? A comparison of laparoscopic esophagomyotomy with fundoplication and esophageal dilation for achalasia. Surg Endosc. 2011 May. 25(5):1466-71. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

35. Sweet MP, Nipomnick I, Gasper WJ, et al. The outcome of laparoscopic Heller myotomy for achalasia is not influenced by the degree of esophageal dilatation. J Gastrointest Surg. 2008 Jan. 12(1):159-65. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

36. Cowgill SM, Villadolid D, Boyle R, Al-Saadi S, Ross S, Rosemurgy AS 2nd. Laparoscopic Heller myotomy for achalasia: results after 10 years. Surg Endosc. 2009 Dec. 23(12):2644-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

37. Patti MG, Pellegrini CA, Arcerito M, Tong J, Mulvihill SJ, Way LW. Comparison of medical and minimally invasive surgical therapy for primary esophageal motility disorders. Arch Surg. 1995 Jun. 130(6):609-15; discussion 615-6. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

38. Boeckxstaens GE, Annese V, des Varannes SB, et al. Pneumatic dilation versus laparoscopic Heller's myotomy for idiopathic achalasia. N Engl J Med. 2011 May 12. 364(19):1807-16. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

39. West RL, Hirsch DP, Bartelsman JF, et al. Long term results of pneumatic dilation in achalasia followed for more than 5 years. Am J Gastroenterol. 2002 Jun. 97(6):1346-51. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

40. Patti MG, Feo CV, Arcerito M, et al. Effects of previous treatment on results of laparoscopic Heller myotomy for achalasia. Dig Dis Sci. 1999 Nov. 44(11):2270-6. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

41. Smith CD, Stival A, Howell DL, Swafford V. Endoscopic therapy for achalasia before Heller myotomy results in worse outcomes than Heller myotomy alone. Ann Surg. 2006 May. 243(5):579-84; discussion 584-6. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

42. Katz PO, Gilbert J, Castell DO. Pneumatic dilatation is effective long-term treatment for achalasia. Dig Dis Sci. 1998 Sep. 43(9):1973-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

43. Eckardt VF, Gockel I, Bernhard G. Pneumatic dilation for achalasia: late results of a prospective follow up investigation. Gut. 2004 May. 53(5):629-33. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

44. Hungness ES, Teitelbaum EN, Santos BF, et al. Comparison of perioperative outcomes between peroral esophageal myotomy (POEM) and laparoscopic Heller myotomy. J Gastrointest Surg. 2013 Feb. 17(2):228-35. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

45. Gelfond M, Rozen P, Gilat T. Isosorbide dinitrate and nifedipine treatment of achalasia: a clinical, manometric and radionuclide evaluation. Gastroenterology. 1982 Nov. 83(5):963-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

46. Nassri A, Ramzan Z. Pharmacotherapy for the management of achalasia: Current status, challenges and future directions. World J Gastrointest Pharmacol Ther. 2015 Nov 6. 6(4):145-55. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

47. Miller HJ, Neupane R, Fayezizadeh M, Majumder A, Marks JM. POEM is a cost-effective procedure: cost-utility analysis of endoscopic and surgical treatment options in the management of achalasia. Surg Endosc. 2017 Apr. 31(4):1636-42. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

48. Schneider AM, Louie BE, Warren HF, Farivar AS, Schembre DB, Aye RW. A matched comparison of per oral endoscopic myotomy to laparoscopic Heller myotomy in the treatment of achalasia. J Gastrointest Surg. 2016 Nov. 20(11):1789-96. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

49. Angell KF, Marks JM. The future of achalasia therapy: expanding the minimally invasive armamentarium and risk of secondary gastroesophageal reflux. J Thorac Dis. 2017 Oct. 9(10):3659-62. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

Marco Ettore Allaix, MD, PhD Research Fellow in General Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Chicago, The Pritzker School of Medicine

Marco Ettore Allaix, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Surgeons, Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Marco G Patti, MD Surgeon, UNC Hospitals Multispecialty Surgery Clinic

Marco G Patti, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American College of Surgeons, American Gastroenterological Association, American Medical Association, American Surgical Association, Association for Academic Surgery, Pan-Pacific Surgical Association, Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, Southwestern Surgical Congress, Western Surgical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.

Praveen K Roy, MD, MSc Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine

Praveen K Roy, MD, MSc is a member of the following medical societies: Alaska State Medical Association, American Gastroenterological Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

David Eric Bernstein, MD Director of Hepatology, North Shore University Hospital; Professor of Clinical Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine

David Eric Bernstein, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians, American Gastroenterological Association, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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