Achalasia is a swallowing disorder in which the esophagus cannot routinely propel food into the stomach. Symptoms are caused by a valve or sphincter at the end of the esophagus that is either too tight or fails to relax normally. Treatment options for this include stretching of the sphincter with a balloon dilatation, injection of chemicals to cause the sphincter to temporarily relax, and surgical division of the muscle. At the University of Pennsylvania, the surgical approach can now be done laparoscopically. This requires only 5 half-inch incisions and, in most cases, a one or two night hospital stay. 85-95% of patients report good to excellent relief of their symptoms with this approach.
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