New study - endoscopic myotomy

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone. Came across this study and thought I would share. Has anyone heard

of this?

Kim

Endoscopic Myotomy Relieves Symptoms of Achalasia

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NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Nov 18 - Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) of the

esophagus seems very successful at relieving symptoms of achalasia -- at least,

in a small study, and for the short term, a German team reports.

Achalasia is often treated with endoscopic balloon dilatation of the lower

esophageal sphincter or laparoscopic myotomy. To test the endoscopic myotomy

strategy, Dr. von Renteln at University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf

and colleagues conducted a prospective pilot study in 16 patients with

achalasia.

The procedure was performed under general anesthesia. The primary goal, an

Eckhard score of 3 or less at three months, was achieved in all but one patient,

the investigators reported online November 8 in the American Journal of

Gastroenterology.

Secondary outcomes were also good. Mean lower esophageal sphincter pressure

dropped from 27.2 to 11.8 mm Hg, and none of the patients required antacids or

proton pump inhibitor therapy after the procedure.

" POEM appears to be a highly effective treatment for achalasia, resulting in a

more than 90% short-term success rate, and significantly improved symptom scores

and manometry outcomes, " the authors conclude.

" Of course, " they add, " all caveats of low numbers and short-term results have

to be taken into account. An international multi-center study evaluating the

broader application of this technique in a larger cohort has been started with

the ultimate goal of comparing POEM with established treatment modalities in a

randomized, controlled trial. "