POEM for Esophageal Achalasia

Abstract

Over the past decade, per-oral endoscopic myotomy has been shown to be a durable minimally invasive approach to the treatment of esophageal achalasia. Patients with suspected achalasia should undergo upper endoscopy, timed barium esophagram, and high-resolution manometry to confirm the diagnosis. The procedure includes several key steps including mucosotomy, submucosal tunneling, selective myotomy of the circular muscle layer, and mucosotomy closure. Specialized endoscopic dissection tools are used during the procedure to access the submucosal space. Common procedural challenges include minor bleeding and capnoperitoneum.