In the treatment of the achalasia of the oesophagus two methods compete today: Pneumatic dilatation and laparoscopic myotomy. In this study, these methods are compared concerning long-term results. The clinical data of patients treated over a period of twenty years are evaluated retrospectively, and patient satisfaction and quality of life are evaluated prospectively by questionnaires. In the long term, laparoscopic myotomy achieves significantly greater satisfaction than pneumatic dilatation. More than 40% of all patients initially undergoing pneumatic dilatation require laparoscopic myotomy later on due to permanent or returning symptoms. Because the treatment of achalasia by laparoscopic myotomy shows a very low morbidity and better long-term results, this treatment is recommended as the method of choice.
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In the treatment of the achalasia of the oesophagus two methods compete today: Pneumatic dilatation and laparoscopic myotomy. In this study, these methods are compared concerning long-term results. The clinical data of patients treated over a period of twenty years are evaluated retrospectively, and patient satisfaction and quality of life are evaluated prospectively by questionnaires. In the long term, laparoscopic myotomy achieves significantly greater satisfaction than pneumatic dilatation. M...
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