Achalasia is a motility disorder in which peristalsis is decreased in the body of the esophagus and the distal esophageal sphincter fails to relax properly during swallowing. The combination results in progressive inability to swallow. Early in the disease process, lower esophageal hypertrophy and failure to relax dominate the clinical picture, and hence the initial treatment is directed at this location. Various methods have been employed to disable or weaken the sphincter mechanism. Surgical therapy is employed when medical therapy or pneumatic dilatation are ineffective. This chapter explores alternatives in surgical therapy of uncomplicated achalasia. Chapter 15 discusses fundoplication as an adjunct to laparoscopic myotomy.
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Scott-Conner, C.E.H., Johnson, J.M., Hammoud, Z.T., Kesler, K.A. (2008). Achalasia of the Esophagus. In: Scott-Conner, C.E.H. (eds) The SAGES Manual of Strategic Decision Making. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-76671-3_14
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