Characteristics of the esophageal microbiome in patients with achalasia and its changes before and after peroral endoscopic myotomy: A pilot study

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Achalasia often presents with chronic food stasis and fermentation in the esophageal lumen, which may lead to alterations of the esophageal microbiome, with associated mucosal inflammation and dysplastic changes. The study aims to evaluate the characteristics of the esophageal microbiome in achalasia and changes of the esophageal microbiome before and after peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM).

METHODS

This is a prospective case-control study. This study enrolled patients with achalasia and asymptomatic subjects as control group. Endoscopic brushing for esophageal microbiome collection was performed in all subjects, with additional follow-up endoscopy and brushing 3 months after POEM in achalasia patients. The composition of the esophageal microbiome was determined and compared between (1) achalasia patients and asymptomatic controls and (2) achalasia patients before and after POEM.

RESULTS

Thirty-one achalasia patients (mean age 53.5 ± 16.2 years; male 45.2%) and 15 controls were analyzed. We observed a distinct esophageal microbial community structure in achalasia patients, with increased Firmicutes and decreased Proteobacteria when compared with the control group at the phylum level. The discriminating enriched genera in achalasia patients were Lactobacillus, followed by Megasphaera and Bacteroides, and the amount of Lactobacillus was associated with the severity of achalasia. Twenty patients were re-examined after POEM, and a high prevalence of erosive esophagitis (55%) was noted, alongside an increase in genus Neisseria and decrease in Lactobacillus and Bacteroides.

CONCLUSIONS

The altered esophageal microenvironment in achalasia leads to dysbiosis with a high abundance of genus Lactobacillus. Increased Neisseria and decreased Lactobacillus were observed after POEM. The long-term effect of microbial changes warrants further study.

Post-POEM Contrast-Enhanced Swallow Study: Is It Always Necessary?

BACKGROUND

Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is rapidly becoming the procedure of choice for treating esophageal achalasia. In most centers, contrast-enhanced swallow studies (CESS) are routinely performed postoperatively to confirm mucosal integrity. The aim of this study was to determine the necessity of performing these studies routinely after POEM.

METHODS

A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database of patients who underwent POEM between December 2012 and November 2020 was performed. All patients underwent a CESS on the first postoperative day. Medical records including vital signs, complete blood count, and POD-1 CESS were evaluated.

RESULTS

One hundred thirty-four consecutive patients were included in the study. Sixty-nine (51.49%) CESS showed abnormal findings; while most findings did not change the postoperative course, five (7.2%) demonstrated tunnel leaks, which did alter the overall management. Screening patients for fever, tachycardia, or leukocytosis on POD-1 had a 100% sensitivity and a 62% specificity for finding a clinically significant complication on CESS.

CONCLUSIONS

The study findings suggest that performing routine contrast-enhanced swallow studies on all patients is not necessary following POEM, as leaks can be screened for by clinical or laboratory abnormalities. Herein, we propose an algorithm based on objective measurable findings for the selection of patients who should undergo CESS.

Pediatric Neurogastroenterology and Motility Disorders: What Role Does Endoscopy Play?

Although pediatric neurogastroenterology and motility (PNGM) disorders are prevalent, often debilitating, and remain challenging to diagnose and treat, this field has made remarkable progress in the last decade. Diagnostic and therapeutic gastrointestinal endoscopy emerged as a valuable tool in the management of PNGM disorders. Novel modalities such as functional lumen imaging probe, per-oral endoscopic myotomy, gastric-POEM, and electrocautery incisional therapy have changed the diagnostic and therapeutic landscape of PNGM. In this review, the authors highlight the emerging role of therapeutic and diagnostic endoscopy in esophageal, gastric, small bowel, colonic, and anorectal disorders and disorders of gut and brain axis interaction.

Publication trends of peroral endoscopic myotomy during 2010-2022: a bibliometric analysis

Background

Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has been rapidly accepted as a safe and effective therapy for achalasia and other esophageal motility disorders, and has inspired novel submucosal tunneling techniques. This study analyzed the trends in POEM research and compared contributions from different countries, regions, institutions, journals, and authors using bibliometric analysis to predict the trends and potential hotspots in POEM research.

Methods

Publications concerning POEM from January 1, 2010 to February 25, 2022, were extracted from the Web of Science database. Book chapters, retrieved manuscripts, news, erratum, non-English language publications, and irrelevant publications were excluded. Data, including keywords for each article, were collected, and network analysis was conducted. Microsoft Excel and VOSviewer were used to collect publication data, analyze publication trends, and visualize relevant results.

Results

A total of 1,853 publications were identified. Gastrointestinal Endoscopy has been the most popular journal in this field (n=383, 20.67%). Research from the United States was the largest contributor to POEM research worldwide and has provided a pivotal influence (n=743), followed by research from China (n=346) and Japan (n=223). Showa University (Japan) was the most active institution in the field of POEM research. In terms of authors, Dr. Inoue published the most papers in the field with the highest average citation number. Keywords were categorized into 5 clusters: management and outcomes, POEM-derived new techniques, diagnosis and classification, comparison with other treatment approaches, and fundoplication and POEM in children. Average appearing years of keywords was calculated. The topics of adverse events, gastroparesis, and gastric POEM (G-POEM) appeared most recently.

Conclusions

Researchers from the United States, China, and Japan have published the most articles in the field of POEM research, but there was a disparity between the quantity and quality of publications. Research of management and POEM-derived novel techniques were considered potential areas of focus for future research.

Peroral endoscopic myotomy is equally safe and highly effective treatment option in achalasia patients with both lower and higher ASA classification status

INTRODUCTION

The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification system was developed as a simple categorization of patients' physiological status that predicts the operative risk. Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a less invasive alternative to surgical myotomy in achalasia. As such, POEM seems to be an appealing option for high-risk patients with achalasia. However, there are no studies which systematically analyzed the outcomes of POEM among patients with different ASA classes. Hence, we aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of POEM in patients with lower and higher ASA classes.

METHODS

Medical records of all achalasia patients who underwent POEM at our institution between April 2014 and May 2019 were reviewed. Patients were categorized arbitrarily into two groups, lower ASA class (ASA I and II combined) and higher ASA class (ASA class III and IV combined). Demographic and procedural details, timed barium swallow (TBE), high-resolution esophageal manometry (HREM), pH study findings and Eckardt scores were compared between the two groups. Baseline characteristics were compared using Chi-square test and two-sample t-test for categorical and continuous variables, respectively.

RESULTS

A total of 144 patients met our study criteria (lower ASA class, n = 44; and higher ASA class, n = 100). Patients in higher ASA class were significantly more obese and older. More patients in lower ASA class had prior Heller myotomy and more patients in higher ASA Class had prior botulinum toxin injections. Procedural parameters were similar in both groups. Procedural complications were infrequent and were also similar in the two groups. The length of stay, 30-day readmission rate, reflux symptoms and esophageal pH study findings were also comparable between the two groups. Treatment success was similar in both groups, 97.7% in lower ASA class versus 92% in higher ASA class (p = 0.19). At 2-month follow-up, both groups had significant improvement in HREM and TBE parameters.

CONCLUSION

POEM is a very safe and highly effective treatment option for achalasia patients with advanced ASA class similar to lower ASA class patients. POEM may be considered as the preferred choice for myotomy in these high-risk achalasia patients due to its low morbidity and high efficacy.

Thoracoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma after peroral endoscopic myotomy for esophageal achalasia: a case report

Background

Esophageal achalasia causes dysphagia following impaired relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter due to the degeneration of Auerbach’s plexus in the esophageal smooth muscle. Recently, peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has become one of the preferred treatment options for esophageal achalasia. However, pathomorphological changes after POEM have not been well examined.

Case presentation

A 65-year-old man with a history of POEM for esophageal achalasia was diagnosed with clinical stage II (cT2-N0-M0) thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and was consequently treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by thoracoscopic esophagectomy. Intraoperatively, the esophagus appeared dilated, reflecting esophageal achalasia; however, fairly slight fibrous adhesions were observed between the esophagus and the pericardial surface despite previously performed POEM via an anterior incision. Histopathological examination revealed esophageal wall thickening, edema, and fibrosis extending from the lamina propria to the submucosa. Besides, the majority of the inner layer and some proportion of the outer layer of the muscularis propria were found to be missing or atrophic at the esophagogastric junction (EGJ). No ganglion cells could be detected at the Auerbach’s plexus.

Conclusions

The previous history of POEM did not affect circumferential mediastinal periesophageal dissection during thoracoscopic esophagectomy. Nevertheless, a large proportion of the inner layer of the muscularis propria at the EGJ level seemed to have become lost or atrophic because of the POEM procedure.

Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for the treatment of achalasia: A multicenter Middle Eastern experience

BACKGROUND

Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) was proposed in 2010 as a minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of achalasia. In this article, we describe the Middle Eastern experience with the procedure in terms of efficacy, length of admission, and short- and long-term complications.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of our prospectively collected data on patients who underwent a POEM procedure was conducted between March 2019 and May 2020. The primary outcome was clinical success rate, defined as a postprocedure Eckardt score ≤3 at ≥3 months. Secondary outcomes included the length of hospital stay, presence of reflux symptoms or need for proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) ≥3 months, and adverse events.

RESULTS

During the study period, 67 patients (35 females) underwent the procedure for achalasia. The participants' ages ranged from 11 to 80 years (mean 41 ± 18 years). Eckardt scores before the treatment ranged between 4 and 12 (mean 8.85 ± 1.75). Sixty-four patients (95.5%) achieved Eckardt scores of ≤3 at ≥3 months after the procedure (95% confidence interval [CI]: 91%-100%). The difference between pre- and post-procedural Eckardt scores averaged around -8 points (95% CI: -7.5 to -8.5 P < 0.0001). Adverse events were reported in 24 patients (35.8%) and included pneumoperitoneum (32.8%), reflux symptoms at 3 months (29.9%), and surgical emphysema (3%). Six patients had adverse events that led to prolongation of admission; 3% of whom had aspiration pneumonia, 3% had pneumoperitoneum, 1.5% had both, and 1.5% had an esophageal tear.

CONCLUSIONS

POEM is a promising procedure for the treatment of achalasia with a high clinical success rate, short hospital admission, and a reassuring safety profile.

Peroral endoscopic myotomy as treatment for Zenker's diverticulum (Z-POEM): a multi-center international study

BACKGROUND

Peroral endoscopic myotomy for the treatment of Zenker's diverticulum (Z-POEM) is a novel technique that has been described in several recent reports. This method utilizes the third space (submucosal layer) to create a tunnel to facilitate complete visualization of the septum and hence cutting it entirely. Conventional endoscopic septotomy carries the risk of recurrence due to incomplete visualization of the septum. While surgical correction is a risky and lengthy procedure in old comorbid patients with Zenker's diverticulum. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of Z-POEM.

METHODS

The study enrolled 24 patients diagnosed with Zenker's diverticulum (ZD) who underwent Z-POEM at seven independent endoscopy centers in five different countries.

RESULTS

Mean patient age ± standard deviation (SD) was 74.3 ± 11 years. Most of the patients were males (n = 20, 83.3%); four (16.7%) were females. More than 50% of the patients (n = 14, 58.3%) had associated comorbidities. The mean size of the diverticula was 4 cm (range 2-7 cm). The Kothari-Haber Score was used to assess clinical symptoms; values ranged from 6 to 14 (median = 9). We achieved 100% technical success with a median procedure time of 61 min and no adverse events. Median hospital stay was 1 day (range 1-5 days). There is a significant reduction in the Kothari-Haber Score after Z-POEM (P < 0.0001). Technical success was achieved in 100% of the patients. Clinical success was achieved in 23/24 (95.8%) of the patients with a median follow-up of 10 months (range 6-24 months).

CONCLUSION

Z-POEM is a safe and effective modality for managing ZD.

Peroral endoscopic myotomy: techniques and outcomes

Achalasia is progressive neurodegenerative disorder of the esophagus, resulting in uncoordinated esophageal motility and failure of lower esophageal sphincter relaxation, leading to impaired swallowing. Surgical myotomy of the lower esophageal sphincter, either open or minimally invasive, has been a standard of care for the past several decades. Recently, new procedure-peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has been introduced into clinical practice. This procedure accomplishes the same objective of controlled myotomy only via endoscopic approach. In the current chapter authors review the present state, clinical applications, outcomes and future directions of the POEM procedure.

Peroral endoscopic myotomy for the treatment of achalasia after failed pneumatic dilation

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

POEM is a rescue endoscopic therapy for patients who had previously failed surgical or endoscopic treatment. However, data regarding its effectiveness after failed pneumatic dilation (PD) and its long-term effects are limited. We aimed to retrospectively investigate the long-term outcomes in patients who had undergone POEM after failed PD.

METHODS

Data from 66 achalasia patients with a 2-year follow-up period were analyzed. Intraprocedural events were compared between the first POEM group (patients without prior-endoscopic intervention) and prior PD group (patients who had pre-POEM PD). Symptom evaluation, HRM and 24 h-pH DeMeester scores between the two groups were performed at 2 years after the POEM procedure. Muscularis externa samples were obtained from the lower esophagus using POEM to assess the muscle fibrosis with Azan-Mallory staining.

RESULTS

POEM was successfully performed for all achalasia patients. During the 2-year follow-up period, the success rate of POEM was 96.15% (25/26) for patients with prior PD and 95% (38/40) with primary POEM. For patients with type II achalasia and who underwent prior PD, the post-procedure DeMeester score was higher compared to patients who underwent POEM only (P < 0.05). A larger number of patients who underwent primary POEM (27.50%, 11/40) complained of mild heartburn compared to patients who underwent POEM after PD (7.69%, 2/26) (P < 0.05). With regards to fibrosis, the majority of patients who underwent POEM only were classified as F-1 (45.00%, 18/40), while the majority of patients who underwent prior PD were classified as F-2 (42.3%, 11/26). The degree of fibrosis was significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.05). Both surgical time and prior PD were correlated with the degree of fibrosis (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the technical challenges, pre-POEM endoscopic treatment does not impact the safety and efficacy of POEM in achalasia patients. Longer follow-up studies using larger cohorts are needed to determine long-term outcomes and complications of POEM.

Peroral endoscopic myotomy is a safe and effective treatment modality for geriatric patients with achalasia

BACKGROUND

Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is an appealing treatment for older patients, as it is minimally invasive but highly efficacious similar to surgical myotomy. However, there is a lack of systematic studies analyzing POEM outcomes in young (< 65 years) versus geriatric patients (≥ 65 years). Hence, we aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of POEM in young versus geriatric patients.

METHODS

Records of all achalasia patients who underwent POEM at our institution between April 2014 and May 2019 were reviewed. Patients were categorized into two groups: young (< 65 years) and old (≥ 65 years). Demographic and procedural details, timed barium esophagram (TBE), high-resolution manometry (HREM), pH study findings and Eckardt scores were compared between the two groups. Post-POEM Eckhardt score of ≤ 3 was defined as treatment success.

RESULTS

A total of 148 patients met the study criteria (young = 93; old = 55). Younger patients were more likely to have lower TBE height at 1 min but wider TBE width at 5 min. The rest of the pre-operative parameters and Eckardt scores were similar in the two groups. Young patients were more likely to have undergone prior Heller myotomy, while Botox injections were common in the older group. The operative details and outcomes were similar in the two groups. Treatment success rates were similar in both groups (94.9% young vs. 94.7% in old patients, p = 1.00). At 2-month follow-up, both groups showed significant improvements in Eckhardt scores and HREM parameters; however, older patients showed greater improvement in TBE height at 1 and 5 min. The rates of symptomatic GERD and abnormal esophageal pH study findings were similar in the two groups.

CONCLUSION

POEM was safe and highly effective treatment for geriatric patients with achalasia. These findings suggest that POEM might emerge as the preferred approach for myotomy in this patient population.

Meglumine diatrizoate esophagogram after peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM): identification of imaging findings associated with clinical complications and longer hospital stay

OBJECTIVES

Esophageal peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is the treatment of reference of major obstructive esophageal motility disorders but the detection of early complications remains challenging. Our aim was to report the radiological findings on meglumine diatrizoate esophagograms after esophageal POEM and identify variables associated with patient outcomes.

METHODS

The imaging and clinical files of 106 patients who underwent POEM for achalasia or other major obstructive esophageal motility disorders were retrospectively analyzed. Post POEM esophagograms were reviewed for the presence of pneumoperitoneum, pleural effusion, extraesophageal contrast leakage, and dislocated clips. Associations between length of hospital stay and radiological findings were searched for using a Cox multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 106 patients (M/F = 56/50; mean age = 50 ± 2 [SD] years) underwent 106 POEM procedures with a meglumine diatrizoate esophagogram on postoperative day 1. Overall median hospital stay was 3 days (range 1-20 days). Pneumoperitoneum, pleural effusion, extraesophageal contrast leakage, and dislocated clips were observed in 90/106 (84.9%), 12/106 (11.3%), 4/106 (3.8%), and 0/106 (0%) patients, respectively. At multivariate analysis, pleural effusion (p = 0.005; adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 0.35 [95% CI 0.17-0.73]) and extraesophageal contrast leakage (p = 0.039; aHR = 0.27 [95% CI 0.08-0.94]) were associated with a prolonged hospital stay. Pneumoperitoneum was not associated with unfavorable outcome (p = 0.99).

CONCLUSIONS

Pneumoperitoneum is a common finding after POEM and is not indicative of unfavorable patient outcome. Conversely, post POEM pleural effusion and extraesophageal contrast leakage are associated with a longer hospital stay.

KEY POINTS

• Water-soluble esophagogram is a valid diagnostic modality to diagnose early complications after esophageal endoscopic myotomy for esophageal motility disorders. • At multivariate analysis, pleural effusion and extraesophageal contrast leakage are associated with a prolonged hospital stay after peroral endoscopic myotomy. • Pneumoperitoneum is not associated with unfavorable outcome after peroral endoscopic myotomy.

Updated Systematic Review of Achalasia, with a Focus on POEM Therapy

AIM

To systematically review clinical presentation, diagnosis, and therapy of achalasia, focusing on recent developments in high-resolution esophageal manometry (HREM) for diagnosis and peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for therapy.

METHODS

Systematic review of achalasia using computerized literature search via PubMed and Ovid of articles published since 2005 with keywords ("achalasia") AND ("high resolution" or "HREM" or "peroral endoscopic myotomy" or "POEM"). Two authors independently performed literature searches and incorporated articles into this review by consensus according to prospectively determined criteria.

RESULTS

Achalasia is an uncommon esophageal motility disorder, usually manifested by dysphagia to solids and liquids, and sometimes manifested by chest pain, regurgitation, and weight loss. Symptoms often suggest more common disorders, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), thus often delaying diagnosis. Achalasia is a predominantly idiopathic chronic disease. Diagnosis is typically suggested by barium swallow showing esophageal dilation; absent distal esophageal peristalsis; smoothly tapered narrowing ("bird's beak") at esophagogastric junction; and delayed passage of contrast into stomach. Diagnostic findings at high-resolution esophageal manometry (HREM) include: distal esophageal aperistalsis and integrated relaxation pressure (trough LES pressure during 4 s) > 15 mmHg. Achalasia is classified by HREM into: type 1 classic; type 2 compartmentalized high pressure in esophageal body, and type 3 spastic. This classification impacts therapeutic decisions. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is required before therapy to assess esophagus and esophagogastric junction and to exclude distal esophageal malignancy. POEM is a revolutionizing achalasia therapy. POEM creates a myotomy via interventional endoscopy. Numerous studies demonstrate that POEM produces comparable, if not superior, results compared to standard laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM), as determined by LES pressure, dysphagia frequency, Eckardt score, hospital length of stay, therapy durability, and incidence of GERD. Other therapies, including botulinum toxin injection and pneumatic dilation, have moderately less efficacy and much less durability than POEM.

CONCLUSION

This comprehensive review suggests that POEM is equivalent or perhaps superior to LHM for achalasia in terms of cost efficiency, hospital length of stay, and relief of dysphagia, with comparable side effects. The data are, however, not conclusive due to sparse long-term follow-up and lack of randomized comparative clinical trials. POEM therapy is currently limited by a shortage of trained endoscopists.

[Practice guideline of peroral endoscopic myotomy of achalasia: Zhongshan experience]

Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a novel clinical technique developed in 2010, and has been widely accepted for treating achalasia and esophageal motility disorders, because of its minimal invasiveness and good efficacy. Zhongshan Hospital has published the practice guideline (the "Zhongshan experience") of peroral endoscopic myotomy of achalasia (v1.2018) based on experience combined with literatures. (1) Preoperative evaluation includes clinical symptom assessment, gastroscopy, high-resolution manometry and upper gastrointestinal radiography. (2) Absolute indication is idiopathic achalasia, and age is no longer a contraindication. (3) The criteria include the medical centers with legal qualifications and the operators with over 5 years of clinical experience in gastroenterological surgery or gastroenterology and more than 30 cases of esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). (4) The length of the myotomy is 8 to 10 cm. The recommended location of the myotomy is the anterior or posterior wall. Whether a full-thickness or circular muscle myotomy is chosen is based on patient's condition. (5) If pleural effusion, atelectasis or pneumothorax occurs, CT examination is recommended during the postoperative period. If patients presents with symptoms such as vomiting and high fever, endoscopic examination and upper gastrointestinal radiography should be performed. (6) Major adverse events include mucosal injury, perforation, bleeding, pneumothorax and pleural effusion. (7) The Eckardt score system and endoscopic examination are used for evaluating the effectiveness after POEM.

Esophageal Third Space Endoscopy: Recent Advances

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW

The novel concept of third space endoscopy was first applied to humans in 2008 for the management of achalasia through peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) procedure. Over the ensuing 10 years, this revolutionary procedure, which started in Japan, has been adopted and mastered by surgeons and gastroenterologists across the globe. In this article, we review the recent innovations and applications of third space endoscopy in the management of esophageal disorders.

RECENT FINDINGS

With experience and innovation, the application of third-space endoscopy has extended beyond achalasia, and currently, it is used in the management of other esophageal disorders including, spastic esophageal disorders, subepithelial tumors, complete esophageal obstruction, and esophageal diverticula. The recent advances in third space endoscopic procedures have not only permitted endoscopic access to places, previously thought impossible, but also enabled the precision of surgery along with reduced peri-operative morbidity due to its minimally invasive nature. While short- and mid-term outcome studies have shown excellent results, we eagerly await the long-term outcome studies before these procedures could be established as the procedures of choice.

Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy for Achalasia

Peroral endoscopic myotomy surgery is an incisionless, minimally invasive, natural orifice technique used to treat the symptoms of achalasia and other spastic disorders of the esophagus. Recent experience demonstrates that it can be performed safely by experienced esophageal surgeons and there are very good short-term outcomes comparable to laparoscopic myotomy. The rapid worldwide adoption of this technique demonstrates its potential to replace the current therapies available for achalasia. A cautionary note is important in that long-term outcomes are not yet available in terms of dysphagia and GERD symptoms.

Peroral endoscopic myotomy leads to higher rates of abnormal esophageal acid exposure than laparoscopic Heller myotomy in achalasia

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) may be associated with higher rates of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) than laparoscopic Heller's myotomy with fundoplication (LHM), since POEM is not combined with a fundoplication. However, peri-esophageal anti-reflux barriers are preserved in POEM, which might prevent GERD. Hence, we sought to compare the objective esophageal pH study findings in achalasia patients after POEM and LHM.

METHODS

Achalasia patients undergoing POEM from 2014 to 2015 at our institution were matched 1:3 with LHM patients using propensity score matching. Demographics, prior interventions, pre-treatment and 2-month post-treatment timed barium esophagram (TBE), high-resolution esophageal manometry (HREM) and 24-h esophageal pH study findings were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Thirty-one patients in the POEM group and 88 patients in the LHM group were included. Larger proportion of POEM patients had prior interventions for achalasia as compared to LHM patients (overall: 71% vs. 44.3%; p = 0.012). Esophageal acid exposure was significantly higher in POEM as compared to LHM patients (abnormal total acid exposure: 48.4% vs. 13.6%; p < 0.001, abnormal DeMeester score 54.8% vs. 17.4%; p = 0.005 respectively). In sub-group analysis, similar results were noted on 24-h pH study after exclusion of the POEM patients with prior LHM and corresponding matches. There was no significant difference in the rate of GERD symptoms between POEM and LHM. There was no significant correlation between the post-treatment basal lower esophageal sphincter pressure and integrated relaxation pressure with abnormal acid exposure in either POEM or LHM.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with achalasia, POEM leads to significantly higher rates of abnormal esophageal acid exposure, without an increase in the rate of GERD symptoms, when compared to LHM with fundoplication. Interestingly, prior LHM has no impact on post-POEM pH study findings. Potential of increased esophageal acid exposure and possible consequences should be discussed with all patients prior to POEM. Further studies are needed to determine the long-term effects of increased acid exposure after POEM.

Surgical management of esophageal achalasia: Evolution of an institutional approach to minimally invasive repair

BACKGROUND

Surgical management of esophageal achalasia (EA) in children has transitioned over the past 2 decades to predominantly involve laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) or minimally invasive surgery (MIS). More recently, peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has been utilized to treat achalasia in children. Since the overall experience with surgical management of EA is contingent upon disease incidence and surgeon experience, the aim of this study is to report a single institutional contemporary experience for outcomes of surgical treatment of EA by LHM and POEM, with regards to other comparable series in children.

METHODS

An IRB approved retrospective review of all patients with EA who underwent treatment by a surgical approach at a tertiary US children's hospital from 2006 to 2015. Data including demographics, operative approach, Eckardt scores pre- and postoperatively, complications, outcomes, and follow-up were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 33 patients underwent 35 operative procedures to treat achalasia. Of these operations; 25 patients underwent laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) with Dor fundoplication; 4 patients underwent LHM alone; 2 patients underwent LHM with Thal fundoplication; 2 patients underwent primary POEM; 2 patients who had had LHM with Dor fundoplication underwent redo LHM with takedown of Dor fundoplication. Intraoperative complications included 2 mucosal perforations (6%), 1 aspiration, 1 pneumothorax (1 POEM patient). Follow ranged from 8months to 7years (8-84months). There were no deaths and no conversions to open operations. Five patients required intervention after surgical treatment of achalasia for recurrent dysphagia including 3 who underwent between 1 and 3 pneumatic dilations; and 2 who had redo LHM with takedown of Dor fundoplication with all patients achieving complete resolution of symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Esophageal achalasia in children occurs at a much lower incidence than in adults as documented by published series describing the surgical treatment in children. We believe the MIS surgical approach remains the standard of care for this condition in children and describe the surgical outcomes and complications for LHM, as well as, the introduction of the POEM technique in our center for treating achalasia. Our institutional experience described herein represents the largest in the "MIS era" with excellent results. We will refer to alterations in our practice that have included the use of flexible endoscopy in 100% of LHM cases and use of the endoscopic functional lumen imaging probe (EndoFLIP) in both LHM and POEM cases which we believe enables adequate Heller myotomy.

Esophageal motility after peroral endoscopic myotomy for achalasia

BACKGROUND

Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has been introduced as a novel endoscopic treatment for achalasia. The aim of this work is to assess the changes in esophageal motility caused by POEM in patients with achalasia.

METHODS

Forty-one patients with achalasia underwent POEM from September 2012 to November 2014. Esophageal motility of all patients was evaluated preoperatively and 1 month after POEM utilizing high-resolution manometry, which was performed with ten water swallows, ten steamed bread swallows, and multiple rapid swallows (MRS).

RESULTS

In single swallows, including liquid swallows and bread swallows, all the parameters of lower esophagus sphincter resting pressure (LESP), 4-s integrated relaxation pressure (4sIRP), and intra-bolus pressure (IBP) were decreased between pre- and post-POEM patients (all p < 0.05). Postoperatively, the trend of distal contractile integral (DCI) and distal esophageal peristaltic amplitude declined in subtype II and subtype III (subtype II: p < 0.05; subtype III: p > 0.05), but increased in subtype I (subtype I: p > 0.05). In liquid swallows, the Eckardt score of subtype II patients decreased with DCI, and distal esophageal peristaltic amplitude after POEM was significantly lower compared with those showing increased values of those two parameters (p < 0.05). In MRS, the rate of LES relaxation increased from 66.67 to 95.24%, but without normal response in all achalasia patients.

CONCLUSIONS

POEM reduces LES pressure in achalasia, and partly restores esophageal motility. POEM displayed varying effect on esophageal motility in patients with different patterns of swallowing. In addition, the changes in parameters associated with esophageal peristalsis correlated with decreases in Eckardt score.

A Western Perspective on "New NOTES" from POEM to Full-thickness Resection and Beyond

Most new natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery procedures originated in Asia; therefore, most data come from operators and a health care environment different from those in the West. We provide a Western perspective. We discuss East-West differences; review areas in which the United States is leading the way; and discuss the vagaries of coding and reimbursement. In the United States, reimbursement remains problematic. A Current Procedural Terminology code for peroral endoscopic myotomy is inevitable given the rapidly accumulating overwhelmingly positive outcomes data. However, coordinated efforts may help accelerate the process.

POEM, the Prototypical "New NOTES" Procedure and First Successful NOTES Procedure

Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) was first performed in 2008 as a novel treatment of achalasia. It is now performed globally, demonstrating the evolution of the first successful natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) procedure. There is extensive data demonstrating the safety and efficacy of POEM, and now long-term data has emerged demonstrating that the efficacy is durable. POEM is also being used to successfully treat diffuse esophageal spasm (DES) and jackhammer esophagus. With jackhammer esophagus and DES, inclusion of the lower esophageal sphincter in the myotomy minimizes the risk of symptom development from iatrogenic ineffective esophageal motility.