ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of full?thickness peroral endoscopic my?otomy( POEM) for achalasia in a follow?up period of 1 year. Methods Data of 28 patients who underwent full?thickness POEM in our hospital from July 2013 to June 2014 were retrospectively studied. Procedure completion and complications were assessed at the end of follow?up of 12 months. Results All patients were treated successfully by full?thickness POEM with the mean operation time of (61?7±15?6) minutes. Intraop?erative mucosal perforation occurred in 2( 7?1%) patients. Symptoms were relieved in 28 patients, but ster?num pain occurred in 6(21?4%) patients. POEM failed in one case in the first 3 months, and was successful in 27 other cases.treatment success rate (Eckardt≤3) was 89?3%(25/28). The incidences of postoperative reflux and esophagitis were 25?9%( 7/27 ) and 22?2%( 6/27 ) , respectively. Conclusion The full?thickness POEM is safe and effective with less complications, but further study is needed to evaluate long?term efficacy and complications.