Treatment of upper esophageal sphincter achalasia as a little-known chapter of surgery

Abstract

It is presented the results of survey and treatment of 32 patients with upper esophageal sphincter achalasia. In 29 of them achalasia was consequence of stroke in brain stem (Zakharchenko-Wallenberg syndrome). 28 patients were operated using P. Chodoch method in 7 cases and author's technique of myotomy with pharyngoesophageal junction plasty in 21 patients. Plastic myotomy gives excellent and good results in 81% of observations due to preservation of innervation of muscles providing function of epiglottis and pharyngeal constrictors. Severe condition of patients and elderly age are indication for P. Chodoch myotomy.