Background: Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) was developed by our group to provide a less invasive
permanent treatment for esophageal achalasia.
Patients and methods: POEM was performed in 17 consecutive patients with achalasia (10 men, 7 women; mean
age 41.4 years). A long submucosal tunnel was created (mean length 12.4 cm), followed
by endoscopic myotomy of circular muscle bundles of a mean total length of 8.1 cm
(6.1 cm in distal esophagus and 2.0 cm in cardia). Smooth passage of an endoscope
through the gastroesophageal junction was confirmed at the end of the procedure.
Results: In all cases POEM significantly reduced the dysphagia symptom score (from mean 10
to 1.3; P = 0.0003) and the resting lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure (from mean 52.4 mmHg
to 19.9 mmHg; P = 0.0001). No serious complications related to POEM were encountered. During follow-up
(mean 5 months), additional treatment or medication was necessary in only one patient
(case 17) who developed reflux esophagitis (Los Angeles classification B); this was
well controlled with regular intake of protein pump inhibitors (PPIs).
Conclusions: The short-term outcome of POEM for achalasia was excellent; further studies on long-term
efficacy and on comparison of POEM with other interventional therapies are awaited.
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1 These results were reported at DDW 2009 in Chicago (2 June 2009) and at UEGW 2009
in London (25 November 2009).
H. Inoue
Showa University Northern Yokohama Hospital
Digestive Disease Center
Chigasaki-Chuo 35-1, Tsuzuki-ku
Yokohama 224-8503
Japan
Fax: +81-45-949-7927
Email: haruinoue777@yahoo.co.jp