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Pneumatic dilation (PD) and Heller myotomy (HM) are the most effective treatments for achalasia, but we know little about their relative long-term efficacy. In this single-center study, researchers reviewed the medical records of 106 achalasia patients who were treated with PD (1–3 dilations) and 73 who were treated with HM; 20 of these patients were treated with PD followed by HM. Patient and physician preference determined treatment selection. Patients were followed for an average of 3.1 years after initial treatment. The success of a single PD was defined as freedom from additional PDs. For HM and graded PD (repeat PD with increasingly larger balloons), success was defined as good symptom control or freedom from additional treatment, inc…