View clinical trials related to Esophageal Achalasia.
Filter by:This is a study of the safety and efficacy of a new surgical procedure using endoscopic instruments and a tunneling technique to reach the LES for dissection. We hypothesize that this technique provides an incisionless, less invasive option with similar functional outcome compared to standard Heller myotomy.
Achalasia is a primary esophageal motility disorder where the lower esophageal sphincter fails to relax in response to swallowing with no well understood underlying cause. Surgical myotomy represents an appropriate therapeutic option. The purpose of this study is to evaluate flexible endoscopic myotomy, a novel therapeutic approach to overcome the need for invasive surgery.
High Resolution Manometry is a new technology that utilizes 36 solid state sensors on a thin catheter spaced at 1-cm intervals. One can more effectively measure the pressure of the esophagus. It includes a sophisticated software to display the pressures data as color topography plot using time, length of the esophagus and pressure within the entire esophagus. It is unclear if this technology improvement actually correlates with patient's symptoms.
The AAAS gene has been known to cause achalasia, alacrima, adrenal abnormalities and a progressive neurological syndrome. A considerable proportion of achalasia patients have been known to show alacrima (decreased secretion of tears). However, the genetic mechanism between achalasia and alacrima has not been defined yet. The investigators postulated that some proportions of early-onset achalasia could be correlated with AAAS gene; thus, the investigators aimed to investigate the relationship between the AAAS gene and early-onset achalasia.
Flavanols, present in dark chocolate, were shown to induce Nitric Oxide synthesis. Since Nitric Oxide facilitates smooth muscle relaxation, it might ease the relaxation of the LES (lower esophageal sphincter)as well. The objective of the present study is to evaluate tha efficacy of dark chocolate in improving LES relaxation in achalasia patients.
The primary aim of this study is to test the hypothesis that Heller myotomy and Toupet fundoplication result in a lower rate of reflux symptoms and positive 24-hour pH testing when compared to Heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication.
The purpose of this study is to identify markers in the blood and tissue that could indicate risk factors for the development and progression of esophagus cancer. This research aims to collect medical history, blood, and tissue samples from patients who present with an esophageal disorder. Identifying genetic and behavioral risk factors involved in the development of esophageal cancer might allow for early detection and prevention. Survival and an opportunity for a cure with esophageal cancer will depend greatly on the stage of diagnosis. Tumors can develop changes in their genetic (hereditary) make-up, and these changes can sometimes be seen in normal tissues before the development of cancer. These genetic (hereditary) changes can serve as tumor markers and can be detected using methods that study changes in genetic material like DNA and RNA. The analysis of proteins can provide additional information. By identifying changes in these molecules that are different or altered in cancer, the investigators can use methods and tests for the detection of these changes.
The purpose of this study is to compare pneumatic dilatation and laparoscopic Heller myotomy in patients with achalasia in order to learn which of these two treatments should be recommended to patients in the future.
OBJECTIVES: I. Compare the efficacy of two doses of botulinum toxin in the treatment of achalasia. II. Compare the safety of these two doses in these patients.