Results of esophagocardioplasty with gastric patch in the treatment of esophageal achalasia.

Since 1968 esophagocardioplasty with gastric patch was employed in 57 patients as a primary operation for achalasia of the esophagus and eight patients with previous operations for achalasia. Satisfactory results were obtained in follow-up studies up to eight years. The results indicate that this procedure is successful in dilating the lower part of the esophagus and esophagocardiac junction without interfering with their proper functions. This provides better passage through the junction with preservation of the mechanism which prevents reflux.