Pneumatic dilation article

January 7, 2012

Here is an abstract of an article reviewing studies on dilatation. The

lead author is a Mayo GI.

2011,

Review article: an analysis of the efficacy,

perforation rates and methods used in pneumatic dilation for achalasia.

After looking at 29 studies, they conclude that the perforation rate is

2% in those studies, and " The response for a single dilation session was

66% at 1 year and 59, 53, 50 and 25% at 2, 3, 5 and 10 years

respectively. "

They also made the observation that, " The method of dilation used with

regard to balloon size, pressure used, dilation times and single or

multiple dilations varied in almost every study. " That is a point I have

tried to share. Not all dilatations are done the same. Different doctors

do them differently. One can expect, and studies seem to indicate, that

some techniques are better than others. That 66% is probably lower than

the rate for just the best methods alone and better than for just the

worse methods alone. Also, while more than one dilatation can be done in

one session often it takes more than one session to get the best

results, especially if only one dilatation is done per session.

If you are interested in getting a dilatation, as with all things

achalasia, you want someone that does enough (specifically for

achalasia) to have reason to be up to date on the best methods. Similar

things can be said for having a myotomy. Get the best you can.

notan

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