OBJECTIVE

To improve and study the feasibility of using a quantitative method of dysphagia severity and the main symptoms in patients with achalasia of the cardia (AC) by using the Eckardt, Dakkak and Bennett dysphagia scales to assess the results of its surgical treatment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Before the operation and within 5 to 10 years after, 94 patients with achalasia of the cardia (AC) examined after performing a videolaparoscopic esophagocardiomyotomy according to Geller with anterior hemiesophagofundoplication according to Dor. There were 32 patients with stage II of AC (34.04%), 32 patients with stage III of AC (34.04%), and 30 patients with stage IV of AC (31.92%). The severity of dysphagia in points was determined by Dakkak and Bennett questionnaire modified by us taking into account the features of swallowing disorders in AC. The assessment of the main disease symptoms was carried out on the Eckardt scale.

RESULTS

The results of the survey according to the first questionnaire showed that after the operation compared with the preoperative data, in patients with stage II of AC the swallowing function improved by 18.9%, with stage III by 33.8%, with stage IV by 34.3%. According to the Eckardt scale, after surgery, dysphagia decreased in all stages of AC: not reaching 83.3% to the maximum possible non-desired value (3 points) at stage II, 70% — at stage III, 56.7% — at stage IV. There was a decrease in the frequency of chest pain, regurgitation, and an increase in body mass index in all stages of AC.

CONCLUSION

It was concluded that digital methods for determining the severity of dysphagia and the main symptoms of AC allow us to prove the effectiveness of the surgical intervention and can be used for fast diagnosis of relapse or progression of the disease by systematic questioning of operated patients.