Peroral endoscopic myotomy provides effective palliation in type III achalasia

Type III achalasia outcomes have historically been met with limited success after conventional laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) and pneumatic dilation. Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has emerged as a promising alterative for a multitude of reasons. Our objective was to investigate POEM outcomes in palliating type III achalasia.

A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database was conducted in a tertiary care institution between April 2014 and July 2019. The primary outcome was postoperative Eckardt score. We also explored the effect of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) integrated resting pressure (IRP) on manometry, barium column height and width, and complications. Standard statistical methods were applied using R.

A total of 518 patients in the achalasia database were identified, with 308 patients undergoing LHM and 210 undergoing POEM during the study period. POEM was used for type III achalasia in 36 patients (median age, 60 years; 61.7% male), with a median operative time of 85 minutes (interquartile range [IQR], 71-115 minutes) and follow-up of 1 year (IQR, 0.16-2.25 years). Within the POEM group, 11 patients (33%) had previous interventions, including Botox injections to the LES (n = 7), pneumatic dilation (n = 1), and LHM (n = 3). A significant decrease in median Eckardt score was observed (7 preoperatively [IQR, 6-8.75] vs 0 postoperatively [IQR, 0-1]; P < .01). Similar improvements after POEM were noted in median LES IRPs (25.5 mmHg vs 4.5 mmgHg; P < .01), 1-minute barium column height (10 cm vs 0 cm; P < .01), and 1-minute barium column width (2 cm vs 0 cm; P < .01). Patients reported a return to activities of daily living in a median of 7 days (IQR, 3-7 days). Three patients experienced complications, including mucosal perforation resolving with conservative management (n = 1), readmission for bleeding duodenal ulcer responding to proton pump inhibitors (n = 1), and readmission for dysphagia and rehydration (n = 1). Postoperative esophageal pH studies were conducted in 21 patients (62%), demonstrating a Demeester score of >14.72 in 13 patients (62%).

POEM provides effective and durable palliation for type III achalasia, as demonstrated by symptom relief, esophageal manometry, and radiographic measurement. Considering its low morbidity profile, POEM should be considered as first-line therapy in this challenging disease subtype.