Long-term outcomes of treatments for achalasia

Idiopathic achalasia is a primary motility disorder of the esophagus that results in dysphagia, weight loss, and impaired quality of life. Several treatment options are available to gastroenterologists, and insights on the long-term outcome of these modalities are discussed.

Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) represents a novel endoscopic technique in the treatment of achalasia. Studies on long-term outcomes and comparison to other well-known treatment modalities such as laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) and pneumodilation have recently been published. POEM and LHM both have excellent 2-year success rates for relieving achalasia symptoms, but reflux disease and erosive esophagitis are more prevalent following POEM.

Several treatment modalities with excellent long-term outcomes are available for the treatment of achalasia. The different options should be discussed with patients and treatments should be tailored to their individual needs.