Treatment experience with a novel 30-mm hydrostatic balloon in esophageal dysmotility: a multicenter retrospective analysis

The newest addition in the management of achalasia and esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction (EGJOO) is a 30-mm hydrostatic balloon dilator that uses impedance planimetry technology. It allows for the measurement of the diameter and cross-sectional area to determine effective dilation. We aimed to (1) determine the clinical success (defined as a decrease in Eckardt score to ≤3) in the treatment of esophageal motility disorders and (2) report the safety (rate/severity of adverse events). This retrospective multicenter study involved 4 centers. Patients with esophageal motility disorders who underwent hydrostatic balloon dilation between January 2015 and October 2018 were included. Fifty-one patients (mean age, 54.1 years; women, 49%) underwent hydrostatic dilation for achalasia (n = 37) or EGJOO (n = 14) during the study period. Forty-seven patients had a median baseline Eckardt score of 5 (range, 3-8; achalasia, n = 35, 6 [range, 3-8]; EGJOO, n = 12, 4 [range, 3.25-6.5]). Clinical success was achieved in 60% of cases (achalasia vs EGJOO: 68.4% vs 33.3%, P = .18). Dilation resulted in a significant decrease in the median Eckardt score from 5 (range, 3-8) to 1.5 (range, 1-4.75; P < .001). Patients with achalasia had a decrease in Eckardt score from 6 (range, 3-8) to 1 (range, 1-4; P < .001), whereas those with EGJOO experienced no significant change. One patient had mild postprocedure chest pain. The hydrostatic balloon dilator is a new tool in our armamentarium to treat esophageal motility disorders. This is the first multicenter study showing the device to be safe and moderately efficacious.