Outcomes of Per-Oral Endoscopic Myotomy in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is an established treatment modality in adult patients with achalasia cardia. There are limited data regarding the efficacy and safety of POEM in pediatric achalasia. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to analyze the outcomes of POEM in children and adolescents with achalasia cardia. Literature search was performed in Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane database for studies evaluating the outcome of POEM in pediatric achalasia between January 2010 and March 2021. Primary objective of the study was clinical success (Eckardt ≤ 3). Secondary outcomes included technical success, procedure duration, adverse events , and gastroesophageal reflux after POEM. A total of 14 studies (419 children, 234 boys) were included in the review. The subtypes of achalasia were type I (30.6%), type II (63.8%), and type III (5.6%). Pooled rate of technical success was 97.1% (95% CI 94.5-98.5%; I² = 0). Pooled clinical success in intention to treat and per-protocol population was 88% (95% CI 84.4-90.9%; I² = 0) and 94.4% (95% CI 91.5-96.4%; I² = 0), respectively. Post-POEM, pooled mean reduction in Eckardt scores was 6.71 (95% CI 6.14 7.28; p < 0.001; I² = 81%). Pooled rate for overall adverse events was 12.9% (95% CI 7.4-21.7%; I² 64.5%), major adverse events was 4.2% (95% CI 2.4-7.4%), and erosive esophagitis was 26.3% (95% CI 17.5-37.7%; I² 51%). POEM is an effective procedure in children with achalasia. Future studies are required to determine the durability of response and comparative outcomes with other treatment modalities for achalasia.