Published online Oct 15, 2003. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v9.i10.2370
Revised: May 25, 2003
Accepted: June 2, 2003
Published online: October 15, 2003
AIM: To determine the best method out of the three types of interventional procedure for achalasia based on a long-term follow-up.
METHODS: The study cohort was comprised of 133 patients of achalasia. Among them, 60 patients were treated under fluoroscopy with pneumatic dilation (group A), 8 patients with permanent uncovered or antireflux covered metal stent dilation (group B), and 65 patients with temporary partially covered metal stent dilation (group C).
RESULTS: One hundred and thirty dilations were performed on the 60 patients of group A (mean 2.2 times per case). The mean diameter of the strictured cardia was 3.3 ± 2.1 mm before dilation and 10.6 ± 3.8 mm after dilation. The mean dysphagia score was 2.7 ± 1.4 before dilation and 0.9 ± 0.3 after dilation. Complications in group A were chest pain (n = 30), reflux (n = 16), and bleeding (n = 6). Thirty-six patients (60%) in group A exhibited dysphagia relapse during a 12-month follow-up, and 45 patients (90%) out of 50 exhibited dysphagia relapse during a 36-month follow-up. Five uncovered and 3 antireflux covered expandable metal stents were permanently placed in the 8 patients of group B. The mean diameter of the strictured cardia was 3.4 ± 1.9 mm before dilation and 19.5 ± 1.1 mm after dilation. The mean dysphagia score was 2.6 ± 1.3 before dilation and 0.4 ± 0.1 after dilation. Complications in group B were chest pain (n = 6), reflux (n = 5), bleeding (n = 3), and hyperplasia of granulation tissue (n = 3). Four patients (50%) in group B exhibited dysphagia relapse during a 12-month follow-up, and 2 case (66.7%) out of 3 patients exhibited dysphagia relapse during a 36-month follow-up. Sixty-five partially covered expandable metal stents were temporarily placed in the 65 patients of group C and withdrawn after 3-7 d via gastroscopy. The mean diameter of the strictured cardia was 3.3 ± 2.3 mm before dilation and 18.9 ± 3.5 mm after dilation. The mean dysphagia score was 2.4 ± 1.3 before dilation and 0.5 ± 0.2 after dilation. Complications in group C were chest pain (n = 26), reflux (n = 13), and bleeding (n = 8). 6 patients (9.2%) out of 65 exhibited dysphagia relapse during a 12-month follow-up, and 8 patients (14.5%) out of 55 exhibited dysphagia relapse during a 36-month follow-up. All the stents were inserted and withdrawn successfully. The follow-up in groups A-C lasted 12-96 months.
CONCLUSION: Temporary partially covered metal stent dilation is one of the best methods with interventional procedure for achalasia in terms of long-term follow-up.