Published online Oct 16, 2016. doi: 10.4253/wjge.v8.i18.669
Peer-review started: May 16, 2016
First decision: July 4, 2016
Revised: July 11, 2016
Accepted: July 29, 2016
Article in press: August 1, 2016
Published online: October 16, 2016
Per oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a novel endoscopic procedure for achalasia treatment. Due to its novelty and high success rates, a repeat procedure is usually not warranted, making the feasibility and safety of such approach unknown. We report the first case of a successful repeat POEM done at the same site of a previously uncompleted POEM. An 84-year-old female with type 2 achalasia presented for a POEM procedure. The procedure was aborted at the end of tunneling and before myotomy due to hypotension, which later resolved spontaneously. POEM was re-attempted at the same site of the original tunnel 1 year afterward, and surprisingly we didn’t encounter any submucosal fibrosis. The procedure felt similar to a native POEM and a myotomy was performed uneventfully. Our case is the first to suggest that submucosal tunneling during a repeat POEM can be done at the same site. Hypotension during POEM is a rare complication that should be recognized as a potential result of tension capnothorax, it can however, be managed with close supportive care.
Core tip: Per oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a novel method of treating achalasia. More is being learnt about potential complications as it increases in popularity. This is the first case of a repeat submucosal tunneling done at the same site of a prior POEM attempt which was aborted just before myotomy. No complications or difficulties were encountered during the second attempt. This may suggest that submucosal tunneling does not cause fibrosis, and that repeat POEM after a technically unsuccessful attempt could be done at the same site and orientation of the original tunnel.