Role of Esophageal Manometry in Evaluation of Pneumatic Dilatation Therapy on Achalasia

Background:Achalasia is the functional disorder of primary esophageal motility,and one of its treatments is pneumatic dilatation therapy.Aims:To appraise the role of esophageal manometry in assessment of pneumatic dilatation therapy on achalasia.Methods:Data of the lower esophageal sphincter(LES)and the esophageal body by esophageal manometry before and after pneumatic dilatation therapy in twenty-one patients with achalasia were recorded and analyzed. Results:The symptoms of dysphagia and reflux of twenty-one patients were relieved after dilatation.No significant differences were found in the LES length before and after dilatation.The LES resting pressure,LES relaxation pressure decreased markedly(P0.01)and the LES relaxation rate increased significantly after dilatation(P0.05).No significant differences were found in the incidence of simultaneous contraction waves and peristaltic wave after swallowing before and after dilatation.Secondary contraction waves and the resting pressure of esophageal body higher than that of the stomach were found in fewer patients after dilatation(P0.01).Conclusions:The pneumatic dilatation therapy could increase significantly the LES relaxation rate,and decrease significantly the LES resting pressure,LES relaxation pressure,the resting pressure of esophageal body and the incidence of secondary contraction waves.The symptoms of the patients were relieved after dilatation.The esophageal manometry plays an important role in evaluation of pneumatic dilatation therapy on achalasia.