Resultado da miotomia endoscópica peroral (POEM) em acalasia avançada em um seguimento mediano de 17 meses / Outcome of per oral endoscopic myotomy (poem) in sigmoid achalasia at a median follow up of 17 months

ABSTRACT Background: Advanced achalasia cardia (AC) represents the end stage in the natural history of AC. Role of per oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) in this technically difficult subset is emerging. Methods: Retrospective review of the patients who had undergone POEM for advanced AC with sigmoid esophagus. We assessed the technical success, clinical success and adverse event rate. Pre and post POEM Eckardt score (ES), integrated relaxation pressure-4sec (IRP-4), lower oesophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) and height and width of barium column at 5 minutes were noted. Results: Of the 85 patients who underwent POEM for AC, 10 patients had advanced AC with sigmoid esophagus of which eight were sigmoid and two were advanced sigmoid. The clinical and technical success was 100% with significant reduction of ES, IRP-4, LESP and height and width of barium column at 5 minutes. One patient had a minor adverse event in the form of mucosal injury that was closed with hemoclips. At a median follow up of 17 months there was no recurrence. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates POEM to be a safe and effective modality of treatment in this technically difficult subset of AC with sigmoid morphology.

RESUMO Contexto: Acalasia cárdia avançada representa o estágio final na história natural do megaesôfago. Está emergindo o papel da miotomia endoscópica peroral (POEM) neste subconjunto tecnicamente difícil. Métodos: Foi realizada uma revisão retrospectiva dos pacientes submetidos a POEM para tratamento do megaesôfago avançado. Avaliamos o sucesso técnico, o sucesso clínico e a taxa de eventos adversos. O escore de Eckardt, pré e pós POEM, a pressão integral de relaxamento de 4 seg (IRP-4), a pressão do esfíncter inferior do esôfago e a altura e largura da coluna de bário em 5 minutos, foram anotadas. Resultados: Dos 85 pacientes submetidos a POEM para acalasia cárdia, 10 pacientes apresentaram acalasia cárdia avançado com esôfago com aspecto sigmoide, dos quais dois eram muito avançados. O sucesso clínico e técnico foi de 100% com redução significativa do escore de Eckardt, do IRP-4, da pressão do esfíncter inferior do esôfago e da altura e largura da coluna bário em 5 minutos. Um paciente teve um pequeno evento adverso na forma de lesão mucosa que foi fechada com hemoclipes. Em um seguimento mediano de 17 meses não houve recorrência. Conclusão: Nosso estudo demonstra que a POEM é uma modalidade segura e eficaz de tratamento neste subconjunto tecnicamente difícil de megaesôfago com morfologia sigmoide.

Esophageal manometry profile in patients of upper gastrointestinal symptoms in Western India: A retrospective cohort study

INTRODUCTION: High-resolution esophageal manometry (HREM) is a technique to determine the pressure pattern which is a function of esophageal musculature and integrity of LES. The indications for HREM evaluation include evaluation of nonobstructive dysphagia, symptoms of regurgitation and noncardiac or atypical chest pain unexplained by endoscopic evaluation To analyse profile of esophageal motility disorders in patient presenting with refractoryAIM: gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), dysphagia and atypical chest pain in tertiary care centre in Western India METHODS: We enrolled patient presented with refractory GERD, dysphagia and atypical chest pain from Jan 2020 to March 2022 at Department of gastroenterology, National Institute of Medical College & R, Jaipur. Upper GI endoscopy and high-resolution esophageal manometry was done in all patients Ineffective esophageal peristalsis,RESULTS: achalasia cardia, hypercontractile esophagus, fragmented peristalsis and esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction were common diagnosis made by high resolution esophageal manometry In our study ineffectiveConclusion: esophageal motility most common and achalasia cardia second most common diagnosis identified on esophageal manometry

Safety and Outcome of Laparoscopic Heller’s Cardiomyotomy with Intraoperative Endoscopic Assessment and Dor’s Fundoplication in Primary Achalasia Cardia: A Single-center Prospective Study

Introduction: Achalasia cardia is a primary esophageal motility disorder of an unknown etiology, characterized by abnormal peristalsis of the esophageal body and the absence of relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter. Laparoscopic Heller cardiomyotomy is the surgical procedure of choice for achalasia cardia. Aim: The aim of the study was to the immediate safety and long-term efficacy of laparoscopic Heller’s cardiomyotomy with intraoperative endoscopy and Dor’s anterior partial fundoplication in patients with achalasia cardia. Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, laparoscopic Heller’s myotomy with intraoperative endoscopy and anterior Dor’s fundoplication were performed in all achalasia cardia patients. Patients’ demographic, clinical features such as dysphagia grade and Eckardt score, intraoperative, post-operative parameters, and response to treatment on follow-up were analyzed. Results: In 14 patients, 10 were females (71%), the mean age was 37±14.96 years. Mean pre-operative modified Takita’s dysphagia grade was 2.93±0.73. Endoscopic classic findings and barium swallow bird beak sign were diagnostic in all cases. Preoperative Eckardt score was 8.93±1.44. Eckardt score at discharge was 0.43±0.51 and at 12th month was 0.21±0.43. On analysis, there was a significant improvement in pre-operative values of modified Takita’s dysphagia grade and Eckardt score to normal values postoperatively (P < 0.0001) and the durable effect was persistently observed in 3rd and 6th, 9th, and 12th-month follow-up. Conclusion: Laparoscopic Heller’s myotomy with intraoperative endoscopy and Dor’s fundoplication are safe and effective with significant improvement in post-operative Takita’s dysphagia score and Eckardt score.

Long-term efficacy of peroral endoscopic circular myotomy and full-thickness myotomy on treatment of achalasia of cardia / 中华消化内镜杂志

Objective To compare the long-term efficacy and complications of peroral endoscopic circular myotomy and full-thickness myotomy for patients with achalasia of cardia. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the data of 53 patients with achalasia of cardia, who underwent peroral endoscopic myotomy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from June 2012 to December 2014 and were followed-up regularly.Twenty-one patients underwent circular myotomy, and the other 32 patients underwent full-thickness myotomy. The postoperative long-term efficacy and gastroesophageal reflux complications of the two groups were compared. Results The effective rate of the circular myotomy group and the full-thickness myotomy group was 90. 5%( 19/21) and 100. 0%( 32/32), respectively ( P＝ 0. 152). There were no significant differences between the two groups on postoperative Eckardt scores, lower esophageal sphincter pressure and 4 s integrated relaxation pressure ( P ＞ 0. 05 ). The incidence of clinically relevant gastroesophageal reflux of full-thickness myotomy group was higher than that of circular myotomy group (40. 6% VS 14. 3%, χ2＝4. 174, P＝0. 041). Conclusion The long-term efficacy of circular myotomy is similar to that of full-thickness myotomy, but the incidence of clinically relevant gastroesophageal reflux is higher in full-thickness myotomy.

Clinical effects of Hybrid knife versus triangular tip on peroral endoscopic myotomy for patients with achalasia: a retrospective cohort study / 中华消化内镜杂志

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of Hybrid knife versus triangular tip during peroral endoscopic myotomy(POEM) for patients with achalasia of cardia. Methods Data of patients with achalasia of cardia who received POEM in Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University from June 2012 to July 2014 were collected and divided into the Hybrid knife group ( using Hybrid knife) and triangular tip group ( using injection needle and triangular tip). Procedure-related parameters, symptom relief, and adverse events were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 57 patients were selected, including 25 patients in the Hybrid knife group and 32 in the triangular tip group. There were no significant differences on baseline characteristics between the two groups ( P＞0. 05). The mean procedure time was shorter in the Hybrid knife group than that in the triangular tip group (55. 3±17. 7 min VS 69. 5± 9. 4 min, P＝0. 038). The mean frequency of devices exchange was less in the Hybrid knife group than that in the triangular tip group (4. 5±1. 5 VS 10. 7±1. 7, P＝0. 000). No serious complications occurred during operation and periodical follow-up in both groups. At one-year follow-up, the treatment success rate was 92. 0%(23/25) in the Hybrid knife group and 96. 9%(31/32) in the triangular tip group (P＝0. 576). Conclusion Using Hybrid knife in POEM can shorten procedural time and achieve similar treatment success rate compared to triangular tip.

Per Oral Endoscopic Myotomy in Children with Achalasia Cardia

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Achalasia cardia (AC) is a motility disorder, characterized by impaired lower esophageal sphincter relaxation and absence of esophageal peristalsis. AC is rare in children with unclear optimum management strategies. Per oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a novel technique for management of achalasia with encouraging results in adult patients. The efficacy and safety of POEM is not known for pediatric AC. The aim of our study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of POEM in children with achalasia cardia METHODS: The data of all children (< 18 years) who underwent POEM at our center was retrospectively analysed. Symptoms were analysed using a validated score (Eckardt score) at regular predefined intervals. Objective parameters including high-resolution manometry, timed barium swallow and esophagogastroduodenoscopy were assessed before the procedure and at 1-year follow-up. Clinical success was defined as an Eckardt score ≤ 3. RESULTS: A total of 15 children underwent POEM during the specified period. Ten out of 15 (10/15) completed 1-year follow-up. Median operative time was 100 (38–240) minutes. Mean pre and post procedure LES pressure were 36.64 ± 11.08 mmHg and 15.65 ± 5.73 mmHg, respectively (P = 0.001). Mean Eckardt score before and after the POEM was 7.32 ± 1.42 and 1.74 ± 0.67, respectively (P = 0.001). Mean percentage improvement in barium emptying at 5 minutes was 63.70 ± 4.46%. All children had complete resolution of symptoms at 1 year. Median weight gain of children at 1 year was 0.65 kg (range, 0.0–4.6). CONCLUSIONS: POEM is safe and effective for children and adolescents with achalasia. Future trials with larger sample size are warranted to establish its efficacy in pediatric AC.

Novel Mutations in a Patient with Triple A Syndrome.

Background: Triple A syndrome (Allgrove syndrome), a rare autosomal recessive disorder, is characterized by adrenal insufficiency, achalasia cardia and alacrimia. It is caused by mutations in AAAS gene which encodes a protein called ALADIN. Case characteristics: 8-year-old boy who presented with hypoglycemic seizures, dysphagia, dry eyes and hyperpigmentation. Investigations confirmed achalasia cardia and adrenal insufficiency. Sequencing of AAAS gene revealed two novel mutations in compound heterozygous state (c.1101delG/ c.1310_1311delCT). Outcome: Patient was managed with hydrocortisone and artificial tears. Message: Sequencing analysis should be done to confirm the diagnosis of clinically suspected Triple A syndrome.

Achalasia cardia in an infant.

Achalasia cardia is a neuromuscular disorder of the oesophagus, characterized by abnormal oesophageal motility and failure of lower esophageal sphincter relaxation. It usually manifests in the fourth and fifth decades of life. It is unusual in childhood and is extremely rare under the age of one year. We report a 7-month-old child with oesophageal achalasia treated with laparoscopic Heller’s oesophagomyotomy.

Manometric and symptomatic spectrum of motor dysphagia in a tertiary referral center in northern India.

Background We studied the spectrum of motor dysphagia in a northern Indian tertiary referral center. Methods In this retrospective study, consecutive patients with motor dysphagia referred to the Gastrointestinal Pathophysiology and Motility Laboratory from 2002 to 2007 were evaluated clinically and with eight-channel water-perfusion manometry. Causes of dysphagia were diagnosed using standard criteria. Results Of 250 patients (age 41.3 [15.0] years, 146 men), 193 (77%) had achalasia cardia (AC) and 57 (23%) had other causes (11, 4.4%: diffuse esophageal spasm [DES]; 9, 3.6%: hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter [Hy LES]); manometry was normal in 37 patients. Twenty-seven patients (14%) had vigorous AC. Duration of dysphagia at presentation was longer in those with AC and Hy LES than in normal manometry (NM) (21 months [1–180] vs. 6 [1–360], p = 0.000; 24 months [7–48] vs. 6 [1–360], p = 0.015). Regurgitation and bolus obstruction were more frequent in those with AC than in NM (89/154, 57.79% vs. 3/27, 11.11%, p = 0.000001). Heartburn was less frequent in patients with AC than in others (AC: 4/146, 2.73% vs. normal: 4/27, 14.8% [p = 0.02] and others: 3/15, 20% [p = 0.018]). Chest pain was reported by 74/135 (54.8%) classic and 12/19 (63.2%) vigorous AC (p = NS). Patients with NM had lower LES pressure than those with classic AC, Hy LES and vigorous AC (p < 0.0001 in each case). Patients with DES had lower LES pressure than in classic AC, Hy LES and vigorous AC (p = 0.043, p < 0.0001, and p = 0.002, respectively). Patients with classic AC had lower LES pressure than in Hy LES and vigorous AC (p = 0.024, p = 0.001, respectively). Conclusion Classic AC was the commonest cause of motor dysphagia in our center. AC was associated with higher LES pressure, longer duration of dysphagia, frequent regurgitation and bolus obstruction.