The surgical management of chalasia of the oesophagus.

The Hill operation was used to correct chalasia of the oesophagus in 4 children under 1 year of age. Results in all 4 were good, 2 having been followed up for 2 years after surgery and the other 2 for 9 and 12 months respectively. There was no mortality or morbidity associated with surgery or endoscopy and biopsy. Oesophagitis is an important criterior for deciding which patient should be treated surgically in the under-1-year age group. Clinical assessment, radiological evaluation and finally endoscopy and biopsy are important in establishing the presence of persistent oesophagitis. Because of the difficulty of performing manometry in these patients, it has only been performed in those under 4 weeks of age.