Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0014848 (achalasia)
 2,804 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Acupuncture has been used for various gastrointestinal (GI) conditions. Voluminous data support the effect of acupuncture on the physiology of the GI tract, including acid secretion, motility, neurohormonal changes, and changes in sensory thresholds. Much of the neuroanatomic pathway of these effects has been identified in animal models. A large body of clinical evidence supports the effectiveness of acupuncture for suppressing nausea associated with chemotherapy, postoperative state, and pregnancy. Prospective randomized controlled trials have also shown the efficacy of acupuncture for analgesia for endoscopic procedures, including colonoscopy and upper endoscopy. Acupuncture has also been used for a variety of other conditions including postoperative ileus, achalasia, peptic ulcer disease, functional bowel diseases (including irritable bowel syndrome and nonulcer dyspepsia), diarrhea, constipation, inflammatory bowel disease, expulsion of gallstones and biliary ascariasis, and pain associated with pancreatitis. Although there are few prospective randomized clinical studies, the well-documented physiological basis of acupuncture effects on the GI tract, and the extensive history of successful clinical use of acupuncture, makes this a promising modality that warrants further investigation.
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PMID:Acupuncture for gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary disorders. 1010 29

MIS continues to evolve with the introduction of new techniques and technology. This report discusses the use of "needlescopic" technology in the surgical management of achalasia. Heller myotomy procedures performed between January 1, 1997, and July 1, 2000, were analyzed and the results of 14 needlescopic procedures were compared with 15 laparoscopic procedures. Demographic and short-term outcome data were compared for each group using chi2, Fisher exact, and Student t tests where appropriate. Both groups were similar in age and gender. However, the needlescopic group weighed less (72.2 vs. 83.5 kg; P = 0.05). Intraoperatively, the needlescopic procedures were shorter (98.2 vs. 131.9 minutes; P = 0.03). There were no conversions to open surgery or differences in the number of intraoperative complications for either group. Postoperatively, the groups had similar complications, time to normal diet, and analgesia requirements. Nonetheless, the needlescopic group had a shorter length of stay in hospital (1.1 vs. 2.0 days; P = 0.04). Needlescopic Heller myotomy appears to be a safe treatment option, resulting in a decreased length of stay and improved wound cosmesis.
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PMID:"Needlescopic" heller myotomy. 1270 8