Miotomía endoscópica por vía oral (POEM) para el tratamiento de acalasia: nuestras primeras experiencias / Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for treatment of achalasia: our first experiences

Resumen Introducción: la miotomía endoscópica por vía oral (POEM) se diseñó inicialmente para el manejo de la acalasia, que es un trastorno crónico y progresivo de la motilidad esofágica con hipertensión del esfínter esofágico inferior (EEI), para la cual el manejo estándar, hasta ahora, ha sido la cirugía de Heller; sin embargo, esta nueva técnica ofrece resultados muy comparables y prometedores. Materiales y métodos: se realizó una revisión retrospectiva de las historias clínicas de los pacientes con acalasia operados por POEM en una institución de Colombia por un solo cirujano endoscopista. Resultados: se encontraron 4 pacientes con acalasia, todas con Eckardt ≥10 y presión EEI ≥30 mm Hg; el tiempo quirúrgico osciló entre 81-120 minutos; en el seguimiento, la reducción en la presión del EEI fue mayor al 50% prácticamente en todos los pacientes, encontrando valores cercanos a la normalidad y con resultados de Eckardt que demuestran éxito en la terapia POEM a los 2 meses de evaluación. Las complicaciones fueron resueltas en el intraoperatorio, con mortalidad de 0%. Conclusiones: El manejo de la acalasia mediante POEM ha demostrado ser una técnica eficaz y segura. Nuestros primeros hallazgos concuerdan con los resultados descritos en la literatura. Este es el primer paso para la implementación de este novedoso abordaje en el manejo de la acalasia en la población colombiana.

Abstract Introduction: Peroral endoscopic myotomies (POEMs) were initially designed to manage achalasia, a chronic and progressive esophageal motility disorder with lower esophageal sphincter hypertension (LES). Until recently, standard treatment had been Heller's surgery, but this new technique offers very promising pressure. Materials and methods: This is a retrospective review of the clinical histories of patients with achalasia who underwent POEM performed by one endoscopic surgeon at a Colombian institution. Results: Four patients with achalasia were found. All had Eckardt scores of ten or more and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure of 30mm Hg or more. Surgical times ranged between 81 and 120 minutes. Follow-up examinations found that LES pressure had decreased by more than 50% in practically all patients. Eckardt scores were close to normal. This demonstrates success of POEM therapy after two months of evaluation. Complications were resolved intraoperatively without mortality. Conclusions: Management of achalasia by POEM has proven to be a safe and effective technique. Our first findings agree with the results described in the literature. This is the first step in the implementation of this novel approach for management of achalasia in our Colombian population.

Tension pneumothorax during peroral endoscopic myotomy for treatment of esophageal achalasia under general anesthesia / Pneumotórax de tensão durante miotomia endoscópica por via oral para tratamento de megaesôfago sob anestesia geral

Abstract More and more endoscopically gastrointestinal procedures require anesthesiologists to perform general anesthesia, such as "peroral endoscopic myotomy". Peroral endoscopic myotomy is a novel invasive treatment for the primary motility disorder of esophagus, called esophageal achalasia. Despite of its minimally invasive feature, there are still complications during the procedure which develop to critical conditions and threat patients' lives. Herein we describe a case about tension pneumothorax subsequent to esophageal rupture during peroral endoscopic myotomy. The emergent management of the complication is stated in detail. The pivotal points of general anesthesia for patients undergoing peroral endoscopic myotomy are emphasized and discussed. Also, intraoperative and post-operative complications mentioned by literature are integrated.

Resumo Cada vez mais os procedimentos gastrointestinais feitos por endoscopia, tais como a miotomia endoscópica por via oral (MEVO), exigem anestesiologistas para administrar anestesia geral. A MEVO é um novo tratamento invasivo para o distúrbio de motilidade primária do esôfago, denominado acalasia esofágica (AE). Apesar de sua característica minimamente invasiva, existem complicações durante o procedimento que evoluem para condições críticas e de risco à vida. Descrevemos aqui um caso de pneumotórax hipertensivo após a ruptura do esôfago durante uma MEVO. O tratamento de emergência da complicação é relatado em detalhes. Os pontos cruciais da anestesia geral para pacientes submetidos à MEVO são enfatizados e discutidos. Além disso, as complicações mencionadas pela literatura nos períodos intraoperatório e pós-operatório são integradas ao texto.