Functional disease of the oesophagus

Abstract

I. A series of 132 cases of functional disorders of the oesophagus has been described. Of these 120 required surgical treatment for relief of dysphagia, or the pulmonary complications of oesophageal obstruction. 2. No operation for pharyngeal diverticulum is complete unless the underlying spasm of the upper sphincter is relieved. 3. Pulsion diverticula of the lower esophagus rarely need surgical treatment; the underlying functional obstruction frequently does. 4. Achalasia of the cardia is a pre-malignant condition. 5. The Heller operation must be accompanied by the reconstruction of a functioning valvular mechanism at the cardia to prevent subsequent gastro-cesophageal reflux and fibrous stenosis.