POEM for Spastic Esophageal Disorders

This therapy may be safe and effective for spastic achalasia, jackhammer esophagus, and diffuse esophageal spasm refractory to medical treatment.

Increasing recognition of the effectiveness of peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) therapy for achalasia (NEJM JW Gastroenterol Jul 28 2014) has generated interest in using this approach to treat other spastic esophageal disorders refractory to medical therapies.

In an international, multicenter, retrospective study, investigators evaluated the outcomes of 73 patients who underwent POEM for well-defined spastic esophageal disorders, including spastic achalasia (54), jackhammer esophagus (10), and diffuse esophageal spasm (9). POEM was performed by experts, and no serious adverse events occurred. The mean length of myotomy was 16 cm. During a mean follow-up of 234 days (range, 7–1017 days), significant clinical response and chest-pain–specific …

Reviewing Author

David A. Johnson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory boardMedscape/WebMD; Pfizer; CRH Medical Corporation; Aries

EquityCRH Medical Corporation

Editorial boardsMedscape Gastroenterology

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Gastroenterology Research Institute Board of Directors