 
Esophageal Motility DisordersEsophageal motility disturbances are relatively uncommon problems characterized by a lack of orderly and coordinated progression of esophageal muscular contraction for the passage of swallowed food and liquids. The primary diagnoses established are achalasia, Zenker's diverticulum, and diffuse esophageal spasm. Complications related to these swallowing problems are common and most often involve progressive weight loss, chronic pain with swallowing, frequent regurgitation, and aspiration-induced pneumonia. Achalasia is a condition in which the lower esophageal muscular sphincter fails to relax with swallowing. Zenker's diverticulum is a result of similar dysfunction of the upper esophageal muscular sphincter in the neck. Diffuse esophageal spasm is a condition defined by hypertonic and disordered contractions throughout the length of the esophageal musculature. Esophageal dilation therapy and medical management can be successful in many patients; however, surgical treatment is needed in a significant minority of patients who fail these less invasive measures.As with other areas of thoracic surgery, the surgeons of the Allegheny Center for Lung and Thoracic Disease are leading the way in the region in the expansion of minimally invasive surgical techniques to surgically treat these esophageal conditions. The postoperative recovery following surgical correction of these esophageal motility problems is similar to that seen following the minimally invasive surgical management of gastroesophageal reflux disease used by the center's surgeons.
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