Outcomes of peroral endoscopic myotomy in patients with spastic esophageal motility disorders that do not fulfill Chicago Classification criteria

Introduction: per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) hasbecome a mainstream treatment for achalasia and is apromising therapy in spastic disorders.Methods: this is a retrospective study of prospectively collected data (case series). We present the first results of theuse of POEM in patients with atypical spastic esophagealmotor disorders that do not satisfy current Chicago Classification criteria. Seven consecutive patients with troublesome and persistent symptoms (12-180 months) relatedto atypical spastic esophageal motor dysfunction weresystematically assessed before and after POEM, the extentof which was tailored by manometric findings. In five ofthe patients, other endoscopic or surgical procedures hadfailed.Results: high-resolution manometry (HRM) showed a spasticesophageal body contractile segment in varying positionsand lengths along the esophageal body which did not meet Chicago Classification criteria. After POEM, dysphagia and/or chest pain had either resolved or was greatly reduced.HRM 3-6 months after myotomy showed that the regions ofspastic contraction targeted by myotomy had been ablated.There were no major complications. The clinical responseswere fully maintained up to the most recent assessmentsafter POEM (range 7-44 months).Conclussion: in our seven patients, POEM was a highly effective treatment for patients with troublesome symptoms related to atypical spastic esophageal motility disorders. (AU)

Recent advances in third space or intramural endoscopy.

Third space endoscopy or intramural endoscopy is based on the principle that the deeper layers of the gastrointestinal tract can be accessed by tunneling in the submucosal space and maintaining the integrity of the overlying mucosa. The era of third space endoscopy started with peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for treatment of achalasia and has expanded to treat various other gastrointestinal disorders. The technique is also currently used for treatment of refractory gastroparesis, Zenker's diverticulum (ZD), resection of subepithelial tumors and early cancers of the gastrointestinal tract and Hirschsprung's disease (HD). These procedures are rapidly emerging as minimally invasive alternatives to conventional surgery. They are safe and effective with excellent outcomes. This review focuses on the evolution and current applications of third space endoscopy in various gastrointestinal disorders. Key points: (1) Third space or intramural endoscopy initially started with the POEM procedure for treatment of achalasia; (2) Advancements in procedural techniques have expanded its application to treat other gastrointestinal disorders such as refractory gastroparesis, ZD, HD, resection of subepithelial tumors and early gastrointestinal cancers; (3) These procedures are highly effective with excellent outcomes and low complication rates; and (4) Third space endoscopic procedures are rapidly emerging as minimally invasive alternatives to conventional surgery.