OBJECTIVE: To analize the changes in the profile of the patients with chagasic megaesophagus and treatment modalities by comparing two groups of patients in different time periods. METHODS: Two series of consecutive patients with chagasic megaesophagus treated surgically were analized in two different time periods, between 1955 and 1962 (n=147) and between 1988 and1998 (n=100). The age, duration of disphagia and the stage of the disease were correlated to the type of surgical procedure. The degree of megaesophagus was defined radiologically. RESULTS: There was a reduction in the number of patients, an increase in the median age and a reduction in the duration of disphagia in the second time period. During the first period, ressectional procedures were more common, while cardiomiotomy predominated in the second. CONCLUSIONS: The profile of the patients with chagasic megaesophagus, treated at the HCFMRP-USP, has changed along the years, the main change being earlier stages of the disease. Earlier medical assistance results in less aggressive surgical procedures with the perspective of better outcomes.
Chagasic megaesophagus; Patient profile; Surgical treatment
