Factors involved in the return of peristalsis in patients with achalasia of the cardia after Heller's myotomy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the reappearance of peristalsis in a group of 45 patients with achalasia of the cardia undergoing surgery and to analyze the factors involved in this phenomenon. METHODS: According to the postoperative manometric data, the 45 patients were divided into two groups, depending on whether or not they presented a return of peristalsis. A statistical comparison of age, sex, duration of the disease, pre- and postoperative radiological diameter of the esophagus, classic or vigorous nature of the achalasia, and manometric data of the lower esophageal sphincter and esophageal body was made. RESULTS: In 46.6% of the patients, peristalsis returned to the upper esophagus, and 100% of the waves were progressive; in 24.4%, peristalsis returned to the middle third also, but only 50% of the waves were progressive; and in 8.8% (four patients), peristalic activity returned to the whole esophagus, but only 40% of the waves were progressive. The group of patients with a return of peristalsis had a shorter duration of dysphagia, less preoperative dilation of the esophagus, and a greater contractile activity of the esophageal body. CONCLUSIONS: Return of peristalsis is a frequent phenomenon after myotomy in patients with achalasia of the cardia, especially in cases of short clinical evolution, little esophageal dilation, and a conserved contractile capacity, although its accurate production mechanism is unknown.