[Esophageal achalasia: etiopathogenesis and possibility of treatment. Review of the literature and presentation of a clinical case].

The Authors report a particular case and make a careful international literature regarding etiopathogenesis and surgical treatment of oesophageal achalasia. First they consider the infection mechanisms as the cause of underlying motor disturbances of the oesophagus. Afterwards holding as parameters of reference for the evaluation of effectiveness of the therapy both the relief of dysphagia and the appearance of postoperative RGE, the various surgical options are then examined: pneumatic dilatation as opposed to surgery; the approach to thoracic and abdominal surgery and the possible assembly of a reflux protection mechanism. Finally, they propose the discussion on the challenge that the new technological systems have opened to the international surgical scene: the minimal-access surgery.