I have two main medical issues: Achalasia and a large cervical osteophyte complex at c3/c4 . Together they affect each other - both cause swallowing problems and both need intervention. Treatment for achalasia usually requires gastroscopy but the standard endoscopy tube can’t get past the osteophytes as there is a very high risk of perforation. It is possible to have Heller myotomy/cardiomyotomy for the achalasia without checking results with an endoscope but not ideal. Until recently the opinion has been to have the achalasia treated first as removing the osteophytes would just enable food to more easily get into the oesophagus which is malfunctioning and increase the risk of food getting stuck. However another doctor has said the osteophtes are limiting achalasia treatment possibilities to just surgery and he said tackling the osteophytes should be the first course of action. Different docs, different opinions.
Has anyone had surgical treatment for osteophytes? File size is too big It involves cutting through the neck, moving the windpipe to one side and shaving down these bony growths. I would just like to hear of any experiences of this operation.