PERORAL ENDOSCOPIC MYOTOMY FOR ACHALASIA: SAFETY PROFILE, COMPLICATIONS AND RESULTS OF 94 PATIENTS.

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Endoscopy

Background:

• Achalasia is a chronic esophageal motility disorder causing dysphagia and regurgitation.
• Current treatments aim to reduce lower esophageal sphincter tone but do not offer a cure.
• Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is an endoscopic alternative to surgical myotomy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of POEM for achalasia treatment.
• To analyze adverse events and perioperative complications associated with POEM.
• To assess short-term postoperative quality of life following POEM.

Main Methods:

• Observational, cross-sectional study of 94 patients undergoing POEM.
• Data collected from December 2016 to December 2022 at a reference center.
• Analysis of pre-, peri-, and postoperative protocols, outcomes, and complications.

Main Results:

• Only three out of 94 patients experienced postoperative complications.
• Significant improvement in Eckardt scores: 7.1 early and 6.63 late (p<0.05).
• Mean early Eckardt score was 0.93, late score was 1.40.

Conclusions:

• POEM demonstrates an excellent safety profile for achalasia treatment.
• The procedure provides significant symptom relief and improves esophageal emptying.
• POEM leads to enhanced quality of life for patients with achalasia.