[Esophageal achalasia in children]. / Acalasia esofagica en la edad pediatrica.

The achalasia is an uncommon pathology in childhood but the disturbances in growth, development and the severity of pulmonary symptoms are more severe than adults. In a period of twenty five years we have diagnosed three children of sixteen months, 4,5 and twelve years of achalasia and treating them with a modified Heller procedure as primary therapy adding anti-reflux procedure in the youngest. Literature review indicates excellent results following modified Heller's operation in more than 85 per 100 of cases. When an anti-reflux procedure is not performed the incidence of gastro-oesophageal reflux in childhood is 20 per 100.