ABSTRACT
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.
ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of peroral endoscopic full-thickness myotomy for patients with severe esophageal achalasia.Methods A total of 64 patients with severe achalasia,whose Eckardt's score ≥6,esophageal diameter ≥6 cm or with S-type esophagus,were treated by peroral endoscopic full-thickness myotomy.Data of Eckardt's score,complications,recurrence,gastroscopy and esophageal barium radiography were collected before and during periodical follow-up.Results All the 64 patients underwent peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) successfully,mean operation time was 55 minutes,average length of tunnel and myotomy were 14.1 cm and 10.6 cm respectively,and full-thickness myotomy was performed beyond 6 cm near esophagogastric junction.Symptoms remitted in all patients.Eckardt's score decreased significantly [pre-treatment VS post-treatment,(7.4 ± 1.5) VS (0.6 ± 0.8),P ＜ 0.001],the diameter of esophageal lumen reduced[pre-treatment VS post-treatment,(59.7 ± 13.0) mm VS (31.4 ±3.3) mm,P ＜ 0.001),and the diameter of cardia increased [pre-treatment VS post-treatment,(15.6 ± 10.1) mm VS (33.4 ± 8.9) mm,P ＜ 0.001].Complications occurred in 9.4％ (6/64) of the cases,gas-related complications was 6.3％ (4/64).Treatment success was achieved in 98.4％ cases (63/64) with a follow-up of 6 ～20 months (median 12.3 months),with no recurrence cases.Conclusion Peroral endoscopic full-thickness myotomy is an effective and safe method for severe achalasia.Long-term efficacy and complications need further assessment.