Per oral endoscopic myotomy with fundoplication is a technically feasible NOTES for achalasia cardia

Per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has become the standard of care for the endoscopic management of achalasia but its major long-term adverse effect has been the development of reflux-associated symptoms and sequelae.

This study was conducted to assess the feasibility and reproducibility of the technique of POEM with fundoplication (POEM + F), a pure Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) procedure in achalasia.

Between November 2019 and January 2020, three patients with achalasia cardia were subjected to POEM + F. Various parameters such as technical feasibility, procedure time, adverse events and post-procedure follow-up were noted.

POEM + F was successfully completed in all three patients. Other than intra-operative capno-peritoneum, no major adverse events were noted. On follow-up at one month, maintenance of wrap was noted.

POEM + F is a technically feasible and a reproducible pure NOTES procedure.