Colombian hospital successfully treats a child from Turks and Caicos with a rare esophageal disorder affecting his ability to eat

• Tivon Wright, a 10-year-old boy from Turks and Caicos, suffered from type 1 achalasia, an esophageal disorder that made swallowing painful and caused constant vomiting.
• With no treatment options available in his home country, his family decided to take him to the Hospital Internacional de Colombia (HIC), where a medical team performed a minimally invasive procedure that corrected his condition, allowing him to eat normally again.
• After the surgery, Tivon experienced immediate improvement, being able to eat without pain for the first time in a long while. His case highlights the importance of access to specialized treatments and reinforces HIC's role as a referral center for international patients.

Bucaramanga, Colombia, February 2025. Tivon Wright, a 10-year-old boy from Turks and Caicos, traveled to Colombia seeking treatment for a rare pediatric condition: type 1 achalasia. This esophageal motility disorder prevents food from passing normally into the stomach due to dysfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter and a lack of coordinated esophageal contractions. While its exact cause remains unknown, it is believed to be associated with an autoimmune response or a viral infection.

Tivon’s family endured a period of great uncertainty before obtaining a clear diagnosis. The problem became evident when he began experiencing discomfort while eating: every time he tried to swallow food, he felt pain in his throat and chest and ended up vomiting. “We took him to the medical center in North Caicos, where we live, and from there, he was referred to the main hospital in Providenciales for further evaluation,” his father recalls.

After undergoing medical tests, doctors identified an obstruction in his esophagus. However, the lack of a pediatric team capable of handling complex cases on the island limited treatment options. “The doctor recommended that we seek care elsewhere,” his father explains.

Concerned about his weight loss and the urgency of obtaining specialized care, his family decided to take him to the Hospital Internacional de Colombia (HIC), where he would receive treatment from a multidisciplinary team experienced in managing such conditions.

Under the leadership of Dr. Juan Javier Acevedo, a specialist in Gastrointestinal Surgery and Digestive Endoscopy, and Dr. Carlos Augusto Cuadros, a specialist in Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, the medical team conducted a high-resolution esophageal manometry, a test that evaluates pressure and coordination of esophageal movements. The results confirmed the diagnosis of type 1 achalasia, allowing them to determine the most appropriate treatment approach.

To correct this condition, the specialists performed a peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM), a minimally invasive procedure. “Using an endoscope, we made a controlled incision in the lower esophageal sphincter to reduce pressure and allow food to pass normally,” explains Dr. Acevedo. “This is the first POEM case in an international pediatric patient at HIC.”

The speed of diagnosis and treatment was crucial to Tivon’s recovery. According to his father, within a short period, the child was evaluated by multiple experts, from pediatricians to specialists in gastroenterology and pediatric surgery. Thanks to the intervention of an integrated medical team, they were able to accurately identify the issue and provide the care he needed.

Rapid recovery and a new beginning: Tivon can eat without pain again

Tivon’s recovery was swift. “One of the main advantages of this surgery is that improvement is almost immediate. In the postoperative period, while the patient is still in the recovery room, swallowing tests are conducted, and within just an hour after the procedure, they can eat normally,” says Dr. Acevedo.

For the first time in a long while, Tivon was able to enjoy his meals without pain. "Before the surgery, I couldn’t eat without discomfort and would vomit almost everything I ingested. Now I can eat without any issues," he says happily. He is also excited to return home and enjoy his favorite foods. Additionally, he admits that at first, he was afraid to be in a country where a different language was spoken, but over time, he grew more comfortable and felt safe.

His father emphasizes the quality of medical care received at HIC and expresses deep gratitude for the medical team that treated his son. "First of all, I want to thank God because, without His intervention and the knowledge He has given to the doctors, nurses, and the entire team here in Colombia, this wouldn’t have been possible. I just want to say thank you—to every specialist, every doctor, and every nurse who worked with him. This gives peace of mind to me, my family, and everyone waiting for him back home. Even the medical team in Turks and Caicos will be happy to know that Tivon is recovering well," he says emotionally.

Tivon’s case highlights the importance of timely access to specialized treatments. "I encourage other parents not to hesitate to seek help if they notice feeding issues in their children. We took a while to realize how serious the situation was, but fortunately, we found the solution we needed at HIC," he adds.

HIC continues to establish itself as a leading center for international patients, offering cutting-edge treatments with state-of-the-art technology and a highly specialized multidisciplinary team. With cases like Tivon’s, the hospital reaffirms its commitment to providing innovative medical solutions that change lives.