Efficacy and safety of pneumatic dilation in achalasia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

One of the most used treatments for achalasia is pneumatic dilation of the lower esophageal sphincter to improve esophageal emptying. Multiple treatment protocols have been described with a varying balloon size, number of dilations, inflation pressure, and duration. We aimed to identify the most efficient and safe treatment protocol.

Methods

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies on pneumatic dilation in patients with primary achalasia. Clinical remission was defined as an Eckardt score ≤3 or adequate symptom reduction measured with a similar validated questionnaire. We compared the clinical remission rates and occurrence of complications between different treatment protocols.

Results

We included 10 studies with 643 patients.

SUBMITTER: van Hoeij FB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6849773 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature