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[Idiopathic megaoesophagus in the child. A series of 17 cases treated surgically (author's transl)].

The authors undertook a retrospective study of a series of 17 cases of idiopathic megaoesophagus seen over a period of 25 years in two paediatric surgery departments. Age distribution was regularly between 20 months and 15 years. No neonatal nor familial forms were seen. Symptoms were dominated by regurgitation and dysphagia. Weight loss was an almost constant feature. Heller's operation, via an abdominal approach with retro-oesophageal valve of the tuberosity fixed to both edges of the myotomy, was the operation proposed. In one case of recurrent megaoesophagus operated upon elsewhere a Thal operation gave a good result with a follow up of 8 years. Immediate clinical and radiological results were favourable in the great majority of cases : 16 cases out of 17. Long term results (follow up of more than 5 years in 8 patients) were also favourable. However one patient was sometimes troubled by regurgitations due to persistent achalasia and a grave failure occured in a patient who five years after a Heller operation developed a peptic stenosis of the lower oesophagus. No recurrence of megaoesophagus was seen. The authors emphasise the importance of the prevention of gastro-oesophageal reflux and the value of oesophagoscopy and of manometry in cases where the result of a Heller's operation is imperfect.