Esophageal Motility Disorders

This chapter provides an overview of esophageal motility disorders, focusing on achalasia, a relatively rare disorder that causes dysphagia, chest pain, and regurgitation due to the failure of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to relax. There are a number of treatments for achalasia, including surgical repair known as a Heller myotomy. Other esophageal motility disorders, such as diffuse esophageal spasm, are rare and require complex coordinated treatments. Zenker’s diverticulum involves a hypertensive cricopharyngeus muscle, and therefore, treatment involves the division of this muscle, which, depending on patient anatomy, can either be done surgically or endoscopically.