OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the long term therapeutic outcome in @entity1318 @entity1 treated with @entity384 , specifically focusing on those @entity1 treated more than 15 yr ago. METHODS: All @entity1 treated in our center whose records were available for review were asked to fill out a questionnaire assessing their degree of @entity1282 , @entity158 , regurgitation, @entity353 , and coughing during the night. The number of dilations was collected from the clinical records. The results of the treatment were classified into four different classes (excellent, good, moderate, poor). For those @entity1 who had died, the cause of death was ascertained from the medical records or from the general practitioner. RESULTS: The questionnaires were distributed to 249 @entity1 , 32 of whom had died. Of the 125 @entity1 who completed the questionnaire, 81 (45 male and 36 female) were treated more than 5 yr ago. The mean follow-up was 12+/-1 yr. The therapeutic success rate was 50%, obtained after a median of four dilations (interquartile range = 3-6). Of this cohort, 25 @entity1 (18 male and seven female, aged 35-84 yr) were treated more than 15 yr ago (mean follow-up = 20.5+/-0.5 yr). The median number of dilations was four (interquartile range = 3-7), with a therapeutic success rate of 40%. Two @entity1 experienced a perforation, and seven were referred for surgery. Six @entity1 out of 32 (19%) died of @entity418 . CONCLUSIONS: The long term success rate of @entity384 is rather low, resulting in permanent successful treatment of @entity1318 in only 40-50% of @entity1 . @entity1318 is a risk factor for @entity418 .

Long term results of @entity384 in XXXX followed for more than 5 years.

@entity1318 :: ('MESH:D004931', 'Disease') :: ['achalasia', 'Achalasia'] @entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity353 :: ('MESH:D015431', 'Disease') :: ['weight loss'] @entity384 :: ('MESH:D002311', 'Disease') :: ['pneumatic dilation'] @entity418 :: ('MESH:D004938', 'Disease') :: ['esophageal cancer'] @entity158 :: ('MESH:D010146', 'Disease') :: ['retrosternal pain'] @entity1282 :: ('MESH:D003680', 'Disease') :: ['dysphagia']
@entity1318 :: (MESH:D004931,Disease) :: ['achalasia']
