Aspiration pneumonitis in achalasia patient treated by per oral endoscopic myotomy: A case report

Choi, Joon Woo; Lee, Ji Hyang; Kim, Eun Ju; Lee, Sang Gon; Ban, Jong Seouk; Min, Byung Woo

Case Report

Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia

Anesthesia and Pain Medicine 2012;7(2):151-154.
Published online May 1, 2012.

Aspiration pneumonitis in achalasia patient treated by per oral endoscopic myotomy: A case report

Joon Woo Choi, Ji Hyang Lee, Eun Ju Kim, Sang Gon Lee, Jong Seouk Ban, Byung Woo Min

Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Daegu Fatima Hospital, Daegu, Korea. lovehan3@yahoo.co.kr

Abstract

Achalasia is a rare motor disorder of the esophagus, characterized by the absence of peristalsis and impaired lower esophagus sphincter relaxation. The exact etiology remains unclear. Stasis of ingested food in esophagus lead to clinical symptoms such as dysphagia, regurgitation, retrosternal pain and weight loss. We report a case of regurgitation during general anesthesia in thyroid cancer patient with achalasia of esophagus. Despite having per oral endoscopic myotomy 6 months ago, the patient presented regurgitation and aspiration pneumonitis. The patient recovered after a week of antibiotics therapy.

Key Words: Achalasia, Aspiration pneumonitis, Per oral endoscopic myotomy