Technical details and outcomes of peroral endoscopic myotomy with fundoplication: the first U.S. experience (with video)

Abstract

Background and aims: Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is an established endoscopic treatment for achalasia; however, post-POEM rates of GERD remain a significant cause of concern. Single-session POEM with fundoplication (POEM-F) to treat achalasia was recently described to reduce post-POEM GERD. This study aims to report the technical feasibility, safety, and early outcomes of the first U.S. cohort of POEM-F.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all patients with achalasia treated with POEM-F at our center. The primary endpoint was technical success, defined as the successful completion of all steps of the POEM-F procedure.

Results: Six patients (mean age, 50 ± 4.8 years; 1 woman) underwent POEM-F for achalasia. Technical success was achieved in all patients (6/6), and no major immediate or delayed (up to 30 days postprocedure) adverse events were seen. At the 1-month follow-up visit, the mean Eckardt score decreased from 8.8 ± 1.1 to .3 ± .5. The GERD health-related quality of life and reflux symptom index scores obtained at the 1-month follow-up, with patients on proton pump inhibitors, were 2.3 ± 3.7 and 2.2 ± 2.5, respectively.

Conclusions: This first case series on POEM-F in the United States suggests that POEM-F is feasible and safe with excellent short-term outcomes.