Original article
Clinical endoscopy
International multicenter experience with peroral endoscopic myotomy for the treatment of spastic esophageal disorders refractory to medical therapy (with video)

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gie.2014.10.011Get rights and content

Background

Limited data exist on the use of peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for therapy of spastic esophageal disorders (SEDs).

Objective

To study the efficacy and safety of POEM for the treatment of patients with diffuse esophageal spasm, jackhammer esophagus, or type III (spastic) achalasia.

Design

Retrospective study.

Setting

International, multicenter, academic institutions.

Patients

All patients who underwent POEM for treatment of SEDs refractory to medical therapy at 11 centers were included.

Interventions

POEM.

Main Outcome Measurements

Eckardt score and adverse events.

Results

A total of 73 patients underwent POEM for treatment of SEDs (diffuse esophageal spasm 9, jackhammer esophagus 10, spastic achalasia 54). POEM was successfully completed in all patients, with a mean procedural time of 118 minutes. The mean length of the submucosal tunnel was 19 cm, and the mean myotomy length was 16 cm. A total of 8 adverse events (11%) occurred, with 5 rated as mild, 3 moderate, and 0 severe. The mean length of hospital stay was 3.4 days. There was a significant decrease in Eckardt scores after POEM (6.71 vs 1.13; P = .0001). Overall, clinical response was observed in 93% of patients during a mean follow-up of 234 days. Chest pain significantly improved in 87% of patients who reported chest pain before POEM. Repeat manometry after POEM was available in 44 patients and showed resolution of initial manometric abnormalities in all cases.

Limitations

Retrospective design and selection bias.

Conclusion

POEM offers a logical therapeutic modality for patients with SEDs refractory to medical therapy. Results from this international study suggest POEM as an effective and safe platform for these patients.

Section snippets

Patients and methods

This retrospective study was approved by the Institutional Review Board for Human Research and complied with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act regulations at each institution. All patients who underwent POEM for treatment of SED refractory to medical therapy at 11 centers (5 United States, 2 European, and 4 Asian) between January 2011 and November 2013 were included. Diagnosis was based on manometric findings. Relevant clinical (chest pain, Eckardt score), manometric (type of

Results

A total of 73 patients (mean age 58.6 years, 46.5% female) underwent POEM for treatment of SEDs (DES 9 [12.3%], jackhammer esophagus 10 [13.7%], type III achalasia 54 [74%]). Patients presented for POEM after an average of 5.1 years since initial diagnosis. Chest pain was present in 49 patients (67.1%) and 26 (42.6%) reported it as moderate and/or severe. All patients had dysphagia, and 62 (84.9%) reported symptoms of regurgitation (Table 1). Before-POEM manometry revealed a mean 4-second IRP

Discussion

Recent advances in natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery17, 18, 19 and the improvement of devices for endoscopic submucosal dissection have culminated in endoluminal approaches to treat achalasia. Submucosal tunneling was initially described by Sumiyama et al,20 whereas POEM was first described by Pasricha et al5 in 2007. Inoue et al6 championed translating this innovative procedure into clinical care. POEM is traditionally performed for achalasia. The role of POEM in the management

References (25)

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DISCLOSURE: M. Khashab is a consultant for Boston Scientific and Olympus America and has received research support from Cook Medical. H. Inoue is a founding member, equity holder, and consultant for Apollo Endosurgery. No other financial relationships relevant to this article were disclosed.

See CME section; p. 1237.

If you would like to chat with an author of this article, you may contact Dr Khashab at [email protected].

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