Estudo prospectivo para tratamento de acalasia pela técnica de miotomia endoscópica POEM (Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy) / Prospective study of POEM: Peroral Endoscopy Myotomy in the treatment of esophageal achalasia

RESUMO

Miotomia endoscópica por via oral (POEM) foi recentemente descrita em humanos como tratamento para a acalasia. Este conceito tem evoluído a partir de desenvolvimentos na cirurgia endoscópica transluminal por orifícios (NOTES) e com potencial para se tornar uma importante opção terapêutica para o tratamento de megaesôfago. Neste estudo prospectivo descrevemos nossa abordagem com o POEM e a experiência inicial para o tratamento de pacientes com acalasia. Três pacientes com distúrbios da motilidade esofágica foram submetidos ao POEM. Este procedimento endoscópico consiste em uma incisão na mucosa do esôfago, formando um túnel submucoso até cárdia para divisão seletiva das fibras circulares do esfíncter inferior do esôfago (EIE). Essa entrada na mucosa é fechada por clipes hemostáticos endoscópicos. Todos os pacientes tiveram esofagogramas e manometrias esofágicas no pré e pós-operatório para acompanhamento clínico, comparativo, em 3 meses. Todos os três pacientes foram submetidos com sucesso ao tratamento POEM, e a miotomia tinha um comprimento médio de 13 cm. O tempo operatório variou 115-120 minutos. A permanência no hospital foi de 4 dias. Nossa experiência inicial com o procedimento POEM demonstra sua segurança operacional, sendo considerados bons os resultados clínicos iniciais. Embora os dados de avaliação a longo prazo devam ser estudados, o POEM poderia se tornar o tratamento de escolha para acalasia.

ABSTRACT

Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has recently been described in humans as a treatment for achalasia. This concept has evolved from developments in natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) and has the potential to become an important therapeutic option. We describe our approach as well as our initial clinical experience as part of an ongoing study treating achalasia patients with POEM. Three patients with esophageal motility disorders were enrolled in and underwent POEM. This completely endoscopic procedure involved a mid esophageal mucosal incision, a submucosal tunnel onto the gastric cardia, and selective division of the circular and sling fibers at the lower esophageal sphincter. The mucosal entry was closed by conventional hemostatic clips. All patients had postoperative esophagograms before discharge and initial clinical follow-up 3 weeks postoperatively. All (3 of 3) patients successfully underwent POEM treatment. After the procedure, smooth passage of the endoscope through the gastroesophageal junction was observed in all patients. Operative time ranged from 120 to 240 minutes. No leaks were detected in the swallow studies and mean length of stay was 4 days. No clinical complications were observed, and at the initial follow-up, all patients reported dysphagia relief without reflux symptoms. Our initial experience with the POEM procedure demonstrates its operative safety, and early clinical results have shown good results. Although further evaluation and long-term data are mandatory, POEM could become the treatment of choice for symptomatic achalasia.