Peroral endoscopic myotomy versus pneumatic dilation for achalasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

[Therapy of esophageal motility disorders]

Esophageal motility disorders are diseases in which there are malfunctions of the act of swallowing due to a change in neuromuscular structures. The main symptom is therefore dysphagia for solid and/or liquid foods, often accompanied by symptoms such as chest pain, regurgitation, heartburn, and weight loss. Esophageal manometry is the gold standard in diagnostics. Endoscopy and radiology serve to exclude inflammatory or malignant changes. With the introduction of high-resolution esophageal manometry (HRM), the diagnosis of esophageal motility disorders has improved and led to a new classification with the Chicago Classification, which has been modified several times in the last decade, most recently in 2020 with the Chicago Classification v4.0. Compared to the previous version 3.0, there are some important changes that are presented based on the most important esophageal motility disorders in everyday clinical practice.

Research hotspots and trend of a emerging novel endoscopic technique of peroral endoscopic myotomy from 2010 to 2022: A bibliometric analysis

Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM), which has been used to treat achalasia and other esophageal motility disorders for the past 10 years, has proven to be secure and efficient. Every year, more and more essays on this subject are published. We sought to investigate the global scientific outputs and hotspots of POEM produced by various nations, organizations, and authors. From 2010 to October 2022, there were 875 papers on POEM that were found in the Web of Science Core database. The bibliometric visualization analyses of nations/regions, institutions, authors, journals, references, and keywords were conducted by CiteSpace V.5.8.R3. Eight hundred seventy-five publications were included in this analysis. With 68 publications, Inoue H had the highest output. While Showa University in Japan was the most productive institution, the United States was the most productive nation. Among the journals, Surgical Endoscopy published the highest number of articles, followed by Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and Endoscopy. The top 10 keywords that appeared most frequently were achalasia, peroral endoscopic myotomy, POEM, myotomy, esophageal achalasia, dysphagia, heller myotomy, endoscopy, gastroparesis and peroral endoscopic myotomy. Seven frontiers, including meta-analysis, high-resolution esophageal manometry, geriatric patient, third space endoscopy, adverse event, endoscopic submucosal dissection, and gastric peroral endoscopic myotomy, had an impact on future research on POEM. The previous 10 years have seen a considerable rise in POEM research, and this trend will continue. The most recent research frontiers, which require more attention, are meta-analysis, high-resolution esophageal manometry, geriatric patient, third space endoscopy, adverse event, and gastric peroral endoscopic myotomy.

[Therapy of esophageal motility disorders]

Esophageal motility disorders are diseases in which there are malfunctions of the act of swallowing due to a change in neuromuscular structures. The main symptom is therefore dysphagia for solid and/or liquid foods, often accompanied by symptoms such as chest pain, regurgitation, heartburn, and weight loss. Esophageal manometry is the gold standard in diagnostics. Endoscopy and radiology serve to exclude inflammatory or malignant changes. With the introduction of high-resolution esophageal manometry (HRM), the diagnosis of esophageal motility disorders has improved and led to a new classification with the Chicago Classification, which has been modified several times in the last decade, most recently in 2020 with the Chicago Classification v4.0. Compared to the previous version 3.0, there are some important changes that are presented based on the most important esophageal motility disorders in everyday clinical practice.

Esophageal Achalasia: Pros and Cons of the Treatment Options

Achalasia is a primary esophageal motility disorder of unknown origin. The goal of treatment is to reduce the resistance caused by a lower esophageal sphincter that fails to relax and is frequently hypertensive. Many treatment options are available to achieve this goal. In this review, we discuss the pros and cons of each therapeutic approach.

A New Preparation Method for Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy in Patients with Achalasia Can Effectively Reduce the Esophageal Residual Contents: A Comparative Retrospective Study

Methods

This retrospective study enrolled 65 achalasia patients who underwent POEM from June 2017 to October 2021. Based on the preoperative diet strategies, patients were divided into carbonated beverage group (n = 48) and control group (n = 17). Demographic and clinical data, duration of preoperative endoscopy, quality of esophagus cleansing, and patient satisfaction on preoperative procedure were collected and compared. In the current study, we established the quality of esophagus cleansing: Grade A, no remnants or only liquid or frothy discharge; Grade B, a little amount of solid content remained; and Grade C, a large amount of solid content remained.

Results

There were 41 Grade A, 6 Grade B, and 1 Grade C patients in the carbonated beverage group, while there were 8 Grade A, 6 Grade B, and 3 Grade C patients in the control group (p value = 0.001). The esophagus cleansing degrees were significantly ameliorated after drinking carbonated beverages in all the three subtypes of achalasia according to the degree of dilatation. The mean duration of preoperative endoscopy was 6.54 ± 2.250 minutes in the carbonated beverage group and 10.27 ± 4.788 minutes in the control group (p value = 0.010). The score of patient satisfaction concerning the procedure before the POEM in the carbonated beverage group was 4.5 ± 0.652, while the score in the control group was 4.35 ± 0.702 (p value = 0.436). In the multivariate analysis, patient satisfaction was significantly associated with male (odds ratio 0.296, 95% CI: 0.097-0.905, p value = 0.033).

Conclusions

Drinking carbonated beverages reduce the duration of preoperative endoscopy and ameliorate the esophagus cleansing degrees without impairing patient satisfaction.

Third space endoscopy: the future of treating gastrointestinal dysmotility

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Third space endoscopy (TSE) or submucosal endoscopy provides with the opportunity for minimally invasive management of various gastrointestinal disorders. TSE is a relatively new field and the knowledge on its utility continues to advance. The purpose of this review is to provide with updated evidence on the efficacy and utility of TSE in gastrointestinal motility disorders including achalasia and refractory gastroparesis.

RECENT FINDINGS

Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a safe procedure with emerging evidence on its durability as well. Major technical variations do not appear to impact the outcomes of POEM. Recent randomized trials suggest superiority of POEM over pneumatic dilatation and noninferiority over Heller's myotomy in idiopathic achalasia. With regard to gastric POEM (G-POEM), recent evidence confirms its efficacy in refractory gastroparesis. Although effective, the long-term outcomes of G-POEM are not well known. In addition, the criteria for patient selection remain elusive.

SUMMARY

TSE has emerged as a new frontier in the endoscopic management of gastrointestinal motility disorders. While short-term outcomes are encouraging, the durability of TSE remains to be seen in achalasia as well as refractory gastroparesis. Insights regarding patient selection and predictors of outcomes may help optimizing the results of gastric POEM in refractory gastroparesis.

Per-oral Endoscopic Myotomy and Other Applications of Third Space Endoscopy: Current Status and Future Perspectives

INTRODUCTION

The modification of NOTES (natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery) by mucosal safety flap has introduced us to the world of third space endoscopy (TSE). POEM (per-oral endoscopic myotomy) for achalasia cardia being its first vista, the realm expanded so that we can now remove en bloc a subepithelial/intramural tumor by POET (per-oral endoscopic tumor resection), perform G-POEM (gastric per-oral endoscopic myotomy) for refractory gastroparesis, restore esophageal continuity in complete obstruction by performing POETRE (per-oral endoscopic tunneling for the restoration of the esophagus), divide the septum in Zenker diverticulum completely with negligible risk of perforation by Z-POEM (Zenker per-oral endoscopic myotomy) and relieve constipation in Hirschsprung disease by PREM (per-rectal endoscopic myotomy). However, the real potential of TSE became evident with the introduction of POEM with fundoplication. TSE has opened the gates of the peritoneal cavity. Improved expertise and equipment will make the role of endoscopist complimentary to the surgeon with the dawn of a new field in therapeutic endoscopy.

AREAS COVERED

This review intends to comprehensively discuss the various aspects of POEM for achalasia studied so far followed by a brief discussion about other applications of TSE and the future perspectives in this exciting field.