INTRODUCTION: Disorders of the oesophagus have been linked to surgical bariatric procedures and obesity. However the relationship between achalasia and gastric bypass is not clearly understood and has only recently been reported following gastric bypass. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We present the case of a 53-year-old woman who re-presented following a gastric bypass with a new diagnosis of achalasia. This was treated successfully with laparoscopic Heller's Myotomy with discharge from hospital 10 days post operatively. DISCUSSION: It is not clear whether achalasia is a complication of gastric bypass procedures. This is only the second reported case of the condition developing after this operation. The mechanism by which it may develop is yet to be clearly established. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the need to investigate further a possible link between achalasia and gastric bypass and to manage susceptible patients accordingly in the pre-operative stage.
INTRODUCTION: Disorders of the oesophagus have been linked to surgical bariatric procedures and obesity. However the relationship between achalasia and gastric bypass is not clearly understood and has only recently been reported following gastric bypass. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We present the case of a 53-year-old woman who re-presented following a gastric bypass with a new diagnosis of achalasia. This was treated successfully with laparoscopic Heller's Myotomy with discharge from hospital 10 days post operatively. DISCUSSION: It is not clear whether achalasia is a complication of gastric bypass procedures. This is only the second reported case of the condition developing after this operation. The mechanism by which it may develop is yet to be clearly established. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the need to investigate further a possible link between achalasia and gastric bypass and to manage susceptible patients accordingly in the pre-operative stage.
Authors: Norbert Runkel; Mario Colombo-Benkmann; Thomas P Hüttl; Harald Tigges; Oliver Mann; Stephan Sauerland Journal: Dtsch Arztebl Int Date: 2011-05-20 Impact factor: 5.594
Authors: Rupa N Shah; James L Izanec; David M Friedel; Peter Axelrod; Henry P Parkman; Robert S Fisher Journal: Dig Dis Sci Date: 2004 Nov-Dec Impact factor: 3.199