SWALLOWING DISORDERS AFTER ESOPHAGEAL ATRESIA EVALUATED WITH VIDEOMANOMETRY

Background: Patients with repaired esophageal atresia often show persi stent motility disorders of the esophagus. Methods: In this study, the authors used a newly developed method, videomanometry, to study intra luminal pressures and function of the pharynx and upper esophagus in s uch a group of patients and compared the results with those in healthy age-matched controls. Results:A significant difference was found betw een timing of the pharynx contraction and upper esophageal sphincter ( UES) relaxation, indicating a dyscoordination of swallowing in the pat ient group. Transit time of bolus from the pharynx to the esophagus wa s also shorter for the patient group. Such dyscoordination may be a ri sk factor that can cause aspiration and respiratory symptoms. Conclusi on: UES resting pressure and residual pressure on swallowing, did not differ between the two groups. Copyright (C) 1998 by W.B. Saunders Com pany.