This comprehensive narrative review thoroughly explores the treatment landscape for achalasia, a rare esophageal motility disorder. Beginning with an introduction outlining the anatomical and clinical aspects of achalasia, the review delves into its historical perspective, tracing the evolution of treatment options from early nonsurgical methods to advanced surgical techniques such as Heller's myotomy and peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM). Technical perspectives on surgical interventions, including key steps, clinical practice guidelines, and modifications to POEM techniques, are extensively discussed. A comparative analysis between POEM and Heller's myotomy elucidates their indications, contraindications, efficacy, outcomes, and interventions for persistent symptoms or complications. Furthermore, the review explores the adverse events associated with both procedures, highlighting their safety profiles and management strategies. Finally, from a financial perspective, considerations such as operative time, hospital stay length, readmission rates, and quality-adjusted life years are examined, emphasizing the implications for patient decision-making. This review underscores the importance of a multidimensional approach to understanding and managing achalasia, advocating for further research to enhance treatment efficacy and reduce adverse effects.

Per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is an established treatment for achalasia cardia. However, data on the long-term efficacy of POEM in patients with failed Heller's myotomy (HM) are limited. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes of POEM in patients with persistent or recurrent symptoms following HM.

Data of patients with recurrence of symptoms after HM who underwent POEM (September 2013 to December 2022) were analyzed, retrospectively. Primary outcome was clinical success [Eckardt score (ES) ≤ 3]. Secondary outcomes included improvement of manometry parameters, barium emptying at 5 min and gastroesophageal reflux (esophagitis and increased esophageal acid exposure) after POEM.

Seventy-two cases (45.9 ± 13.4 years, 43 men) with history of HM were included in the study. The subtypes of achalasia were type 1 (40.3%), type 2 (37.5%), and unknown (19.4%). Prior treatment included HM in 48 (66.7%), HM plus pneumatic dilatation in 20 (27.8%), and HM plus pneumatic dilatation and Botox in 4 (5.5%). Technical success was achieved in all cases. Mean length of myotomy was 10.7 ± 3.3 cm, and mean procedure duration was 59.2 ± 25.9 min. There was significant improvement in ES (pre-POEM 6.5 ± 1.8 vs post-POEM 0.7 ± 0.7), lower esophageal sphincter pressure pressures (31.7 ± 12.5 vs 13.3 ± 5.7 mmHg) and barium emptying (14.2 ± 4.2 vs 2.4 ± 3.1 cm) after POEM. At a median follow-up of 63 months (IQR 40-95), clinical success (ES ≤ 3) was documented in 58 (80.6%) patients. Reflux esophagitis and increased esophageal acid exposure were recorded in 28 of 49 (57.1%) and 11 of 20 (55%) patients, respectively.

POEM is a durable treatment modality in cases with relapse of symptoms after HM.

Achalasia is a rare neurodegenerative esophageal motility disorder characterized by incomplete lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation, increased LES tone and absence of esophageal peristalsis. Achalasia requires invasive treatment in all patients. Conventional treatment options include endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) and laparoscopic Heller's myotomy (LHM). Recently, a less invasive endoscopic therapy has been developed; Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM). POEM integrates the theoretical advantages of both EBD and LHM (no skin incisions, less pain, short hospital stay, less blood loss and a durable myotomy). Our aim is to compare efficacy and safety of POEM vs. EBD as primary treatment for achalasia in children.

This multi-center, and center-stratified block-randomized controlled trial will assess safety and efficacy of POEM vs EBD. Primary outcome measure is the need for retreatment due to treatment failure (i.e. persisting symptoms (Eckardt score > 3) with evidence of recurrence on barium swallow and/or HRM within 12 months follow-up) as assed by a blinded end-point committee (PROBE design).

This RCT will be the first one to evaluate which endoscopic therapy is most effective and safe for treatment of naïve pediatric patients with achalasia.

Achalasia is an esophageal motility disorder that presents as dysphagia and severely affects quality of life. An esophageal myotomy has been the golden standard for treatment. Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) as a first-line therapy has an acceptable outcome. However, after the clinical failure of POEM, appropriate second-line therapy is rather controversial. Here, we present the first published case in English of a patient who was successfully treated using laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) with Dor fundoplication following an unsuccessful POEM.

A 64-year-old man with type 1 achalasia who had been previously treated with POEM visited our hospital for further treatment. After undergoing LHM with Dor fundoplication, his Eckardt score improved from 3 to 0 points. On a timed barium esophagogram (TBE), the barium height improved from 119 mm/119 mm (1 min/5 min) to 50 mm/45 mm. No significant complications have occurred postoperatively for 1 year.

Treating refractory achalasia is challenging, and treatment options are controversial. LHM with Dor fundoplication after POEM could be a safe and efficient option for the treatment of refractory achalasia.

Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) achieves a satisfactory short-term clinical response in patients with achalasia. However, data on mid- and long-term clinical outcomes are limited. We aimed to assess the mid- and long-term efficacy and safety of POEM in achalasia patients.

Using the pre-designed search strategy, we identified relevant studies that evaluated the efficacy and safety of POEM with a minimum of 2-year follow-up in the Embase, Cochrane, and PubMed databases from inception to January 2021. Primary outcome was pooled mid- and long-term clinical success rate based on the Eckardt score. Secondary outcome was pooled long-term reflux-related adverse events.

A total of 21 studies involving 2,698 patients were included. Overall, the pooled clinical success rates with 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-year follow-ups were 91.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 88.4-93.6%), 90.4% (95% CI 88.1-92.2%), 89.8% (95% CI 83.6-93.9%), and 82.2% (95% CI 76.6-86.7%), respectively. Besides, the pooled long-term clinical success rates for type I, II, and III achalasia were 86.1% (95% CI 80.9-90.1%; I2 = 0%), 87.9% (95% CI 84.2-90.8%; I2 = 48.354%), and 83.9% (95% CI 72.5-91.2%; I2 = 0%), respectively. Moreover, the pooled incidence of symptomatic reflux and reflux esophagitis was 23.9% (95% CI 18.7-29.9%) and 16.7% (95% CI 11.9-23.1%), respectively.

POEM is associated with a long-term clinical success of 82.2% after 5 years of follow-up. Randomized control trials comparing POEM with laparoscopic Heller myotomy or pneumatic dilation with longer follow-up periods are needed to further demonstrate the long-term safety and efficacy of POEM.

Submucosal endoscopy (third-space endoscopy) can be defined as an endoscopic procedure performed in the submucosal space. This procedure is novel and has been utilized for delivery to the submucosal space in a variety of gastrointestinal diseases, such as a tumor, achalasia, gastroparesis, and subepithelial tumors. The main submucosal endoscopy includes peroral endoscopic myotomy, gastric peroral endoscopic myotomy, Zenker peroral endoscopic myotomy, submucosal tunneling for endoscopic resection, and endoscopic submucosal tunnel dissection. Submucosal endoscopy has been used as a viable alternative to surgical techniques because it is minimally invasive in the treatment and diagnosis of gastrointestinal diseases and disorders. However, there is limited evidence to prove this. This article reviews the current applications and evidence regarding submucosal endoscopy while exploring the possible future clinical applications in this field. As our understanding of these procedures improves, the future of submucosal endoscopy could be promising in the fields of diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy.

Our tripartite narrative review discusses Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM), gastric POEM (GPOEM) and POEM for Zenker's diverticula (ZPOEM). POEM is the prototypical procedure that launched the novel "3rd space endoscopy" field of advanced endoscopy. It revolutionized achalasia therapy by offering a much less invasive version of the prior gold standard, the laparoscopic Heller myotomy (HM). We review in detail indications, outcomes, technique variations and comparative data between POEM and HM particularly with regard to the hotly debated issue of GERD. We then proceed to discuss two less illustrious but nevertheless important offshoots of the iconic POEM procedure: GPOEM for gastroparesis and ZPOEM for the treatment of hypopharyngeal diverticula. For GPOEM, we discuss the rationale of pylorus-directed therapies, briefly touch on GPOEM technique variations and then focus on the importance of proper patient selection and emerging data in this area. On the third and final part of our review, we discuss ZPOEM and expound on technique variations including our "ultra-short tunnel technique". Our review emphasizes that, despite the superiority of endoscopy over surgery for the treatment of hypopharyngeal diverticula, there is no clear evidence yet of the superiority of the newfangled ZPOEM technique compared to the conventional endoscopic myotomy technique practiced for over two decades prior to the advent of ZPOEM.

For more than a decade, per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has been performed for the treatment of achalasia and other dysmotilities of the esophagus. POEM has become an accepted alternative to Heller myotomy, a salvation technique for patients not responding to Heller myotomy and the favorite intervention for diffuse esophageal spasm and jackhammer esophagus. POEM paved the way for endoscopic pyloromyotomy, Zenker's diverticulum myotomy, and submucosal tunneling with endoscopic resection. This review will cover the technique and the most current literature of this revolutionary third space technique.

Symptom recurrence after initial surgical management of esophageal achalasia occurs in 10-25% of patients. The aim of this study was to analyze safety and efficacy of revisional therapy after failed Heller myotomy (HM).

A retrospective review of a prospective database was performed searching for patients with recurrent symptoms after primary surgical therapy for achalasia. Patients with previously failed HM were considered for the final analysis. The Foregut questionnaire, and the Atkinson and Eckardt scales were used to assess severity of symptoms. Objective investigations routinely included upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and barium swallow study. Redo treatments consisted of endoscopic pneumatic dilation (PD), laparoscopic HM, hybrid Ivor Lewis esophagectomy, or stapled cardioplasty. A yearly clinical and endoscopic follow-up was scheduled in all patients.

Over a 20-year period, 26 patients with a median age of 66 years (IQR 19.5) underwent revisional therapy after failed HM for achalasia at a tertiary-care university hospital. The median time after index procedure was 10 years (IQR 21). Revisional therapy consisted of endoscopic pneumatic dilation (n=13), laparoscopic HM and fundoplication (n=10), esophagectomy (n=2), and stapled cardioplasty and fundoplication (n=1). Nine (34.6%) of these patients required further endoscopic or surgical treatments. There was no mortality, and the overall complication rate was 7.7%. At a median follow-up of 42 months (range 10-149), a significant decrease of dysphagia, regurgitation, chest pain, respiratory symptoms, and median Eckardt score (p<0.05) was noted.

In specialized and multidisciplinary centers, revisional therapy for achalasia is feasible, safe, and effective.

Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is becoming the treatment of choice for achalasia. Data beyond 3 years are emerging but are limited. We herein report our 10-year experience, focusing on long-term efficacy and safety including the prevalence, management, and sequelae of postoperative reflux.

This was a single-center prospective cohort study.

Six hundred ten consecutive patients received POEM from October 2009 to October 2019, 160 for type 1 achalasia (26.2%), 307 for type II (50.3%), 93 for type III (15.6%), 25 for untyped achalasia (4.1%), and 23 for nonachalasia disorders (3.8%). Two hundred ninety-two patients (47.9%) had prior treatment(s). There was no aborted POEM. Median operation time was 54 minutes. Accidental mucosotomies occurred in 64 patients (10.5%) and clinically significant adverse events in 21 patients (3.4%). No adverse events led to death, surgery, interventional radiology interventions/drains, or altered functional status. At a median follow-up of 30 months, 29 failures occurred, defined as postoperative Eckardt score >3 or need for additional treatment. The Kaplan-Meier clinical success estimates at years 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 were 98%, 96%, 96%, 94%, 92%, 91%, and 91%, respectively. These are highly accurate estimates because only 13 patients (2%) were missing follow-up assessments. One hundred twenty-five patients (20.5%) had reflux symptoms more than once per week. At a median of 4 months, the pH study was completed in 406 patients (66.6%) and was positive in 232 (57.1%), and endoscopy was completed in 438 patients (71.8%) and showed reflux esophagitis in 218 (49.8%), mostly mild.

POEM is exceptionally safe and highly effective on long-term follow-up, with >90% clinical success at ≥5 years.

Per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has been widely adopted for the treatment of achalasia as it provides a precise, tailored myotomy in a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure. Several short-term studies and a few long-term studies have confirmed that POEM is a safe and effective treatment for achalasia. However, the long-term outcome of POEM performed by trainees is unknown.

We conducted a retrospective study of all patients who underwent POEM for achalasia at our tertiary care center during December 2012 and January 2019. All procedures performed with trainees were included. The primary outcome was the clinical response to POEM, defined as an Eckardt score of <3 after POEM. Trainees were trained in performing mucosotomy and submucosal dissection, creating a submucosal tunnel, identifying gastroesophageal junction, and performing myotomy and closure of mucosal incision in a step-by-step fashion. Trainees' performance was evaluated by the mentor based on several key points in each step.

A total of 153 consecutive patients with a median age of 57±18 years were analyzed in this study. Of the total patients, 69 (45%) were male. The median length of follow-up after POEM was 32 months (range: 7 to 77 mo). A clinically significant response to POEM was achieved in 95% of patients at year 1, 84% at year 2, 80% at year 3, 79% at year 4, 78% at year 5, and 78% at year 6 and above. All trainees obtained competence within 6 cases for each step and could perform the procedure alone after 20 supervised cases.

Overall, 78% of patients maintained positive clinical response at 6 years following POEM procedure. The recurrence rate of symptoms following POEM was 22% at a 6-year follow-up. This long-term outcome of POEM performed with trainees was comparable to those without trainees in other studies. To our knowledge, this is the longest follow-up and the largest number of patients after the POEM procedure performed with trainees.

To compare the surgical outcomes of redo laparoscopic Heller-Dor procedure and rescue peroral endoscopic myotomy for patients with failed Heller myotomy.

We identified patients who had undergone redo laparoscopic Heller-Dor procedure or rescue peroral endoscopic myotomy from August 1996 to September 2019 and assessed the patients' characteristics, timed barium swallow results, symptom scores before/after surgery, surgical outcomes, and postoperative outcomes.

Eleven patients underwent redo laparoscopic Heller-Dor procedure, and 14 underwent rescue peroral endoscopic myotomy. Blood loss (p = 0.001) and intraoperative complications rate (p = 0.003) were lower and the operative time (p > 0.001) and observation period (p = 0.009) shorter in patients who underwent rescue peroral endoscopic myotomy than in patients who underwent redo laparoscopic Heller-Dor procedure. Patients who underwent rescue peroral endoscopic myotomy had a higher rate of postoperative reflux esophagitis (p = 0.033) than those who underwent redo laparoscopic Heller-Dor procedure. After the interventions, the dysphagia symptoms were improved for both groups. Furthermore, both groups expressed satisfaction with their respective procedures.

Rescue peroral endoscopic myotomy was associated with better surgical outcomes than redo laparoscopic Heller-Dor for patients with failed Heller myotomy. However, rescue peroral endoscopic myotomy had higher rates of postoperative reflux esophagitis.

Background and study aims  Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is increasingly being used as the preferred treatment option for achalasia. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare the efficacy and safety of POEM versus pneumatic balloon dilation (PD). Methods  We performed a comprehensive review of studies that reported clinical outcomes of POEM and PD for the treatment of achalasia. Measured outcomes included clinical success (improvement of symptoms based on a validated scale including an Eckardt score ≤ 3), adverse events, and post-treatment gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Results  Sixty-six studies (6268 patients) were included in the final analysis, of which 29 studies (2919 patients) reported on POEM and 33 studies (3050 patients) reported on PD and 4 studies (299 patients) compared POEM versus PD. Clinical success with POEM was superior to PD at 12, 24, and 36 months (92.9 %, vs 76.9 % P  = 0.001; 90.6 % vs 74.8 %, P  = 0.004; 88.4 % vs 72.2 %, P  = 0.006, respectively). POEM was superior to PD in type I, II and III achalasia (92.7 % vs 61 %, P  = 0.01; 92.3 % vs 80.3 %, P  = 0.01; 92.3 %v 41.9 %, P  = 0.01 respectively) Pooled OR of clinical success at 12 and 24 months were significantly higher with POEM (8.97; P  = 0.001 & 5.64; P  = 0.006). Pooled OR of GERD was significantly higher with POEM (by symptoms: 2.95, P  = 0.02 and by endoscopic findings: 6.98, P  = 0.001). Rates of esophageal perforation (0.3 % vs 0.6 %, P  = 0.8) and significant bleeding (0.4 % vs 0.7 %, P  = 0.56) were comparable between POEM and PD groups. Conclusions  POEM is more efficacious than PD in the treatment of patients with achalasia during short-term and long-term follow-up, albeit with higher risk of abnormal esophageal acid exposure.

Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has emerged as a rescue treatment for recurrent or persistent achalasia after failed initial management. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of POEM in achalasia patients with failed previous intervention. We searched the MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, and PubMed databases using the queries "achalasia," "peroral endoscopic myotomy," and related terms in March 2019. Data on technical and clinical success, adverse events, Eckardt score and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure were collected. The pooled event rates, mean differences (MDs) and risk ratios (RR) were calculated. A total of 15 studies with 2,276 achalasia patients were included. Overall, the pooled technical success, clinical success and adverse events rate of rescue POEM were 98.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 96.6% to 98.8%), 90.8% (95% CI, 88.8% to 92.4%) and 10.3% (95% CI, 6.6% to 15.8%), respectively. Seven studies compared the clinical outcomes of POEM between previous failed treatment and the treatment naïve patients. The RR for technical success, clinical success, and adverse events were 1.00 (95% CI, 0.98 to 1.01), 0.98 (95% CI, 0.92 to 1.04), and 1.17 (95% CI, 0.78 to 1.76), respectively. Overall, there was significant reduction in the pre- and post-Eckardt score (MD, 5.77; p<0.001) and LES pressure (MD, 18.3 mm Hg; p<0.001) for achalasia patients with failed previous intervention after POEM. POEM appears to be a safe, effective and feasible treatment for individuals who have undergone previous failed intervention. It has similar outcomes in previously treated and treatment-naïve achalasia patients.

The modification of NOTES (natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery) by mucosal safety flap has introduced us to the world of third space endoscopy (TSE). POEM (per-oral endoscopic myotomy) for achalasia cardia being its first vista, the realm expanded so that we can now remove en bloc a subepithelial/intramural tumor by POET (per-oral endoscopic tumor resection), perform G-POEM (gastric per-oral endoscopic myotomy) for refractory gastroparesis, restore esophageal continuity in complete obstruction by performing POETRE (per-oral endoscopic tunneling for the restoration of the esophagus), divide the septum in Zenker diverticulum completely with negligible risk of perforation by Z-POEM (Zenker per-oral endoscopic myotomy) and relieve constipation in Hirschsprung disease by PREM (per-rectal endoscopic myotomy). However, the real potential of TSE became evident with the introduction of POEM with fundoplication. TSE has opened the gates of the peritoneal cavity. Improved expertise and equipment will make the role of endoscopist complimentary to the surgeon with the dawn of a new field in therapeutic endoscopy.

This review intends to comprehensively discuss the various aspects of POEM for achalasia studied so far followed by a brief discussion about other applications of TSE and the future perspectives in this exciting field.

Heller myotomy (HM) is an established treatment for achalasia but can fail in up to 10-20% of patients. Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) may be an appropriate treatment for patients with failed HM.

We searched several databases to identify non-comparative studies evaluating the efficacy and/or safety of POEM after failed HM and comparative studies comparing the efficacy and/or safety of POEM in patients with and without prior HM. Outcomes assessed included clinical success, technical success, adverse events, post-treatment gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and presence of esophagitis on endoscopy. We calculated weighted pooled rates with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for all outcomes in patients undergoing POEM with prior HM. We calculated pooled odds ratios with 95%CI to compare the outcomes between patients with and without previous HM who underwent POEM.

We included 11 observational studies with 1205 patients. Weighted pooled rates (95%CI) for overall clinical success and technical success in patients with failed HM were 87% (81-91%) and 97% (94-99%), respectively. Weighted pooled rates (95%CI) for major adverse events, new-onset GERD and presence of esophagitis on endoscopy were 5% (2-10%), 33% (26-41%), and 38% (22-58%), respectively. There were no differences in clinical success, adverse events, post-treatment GERD and esophagitis between patients with and without previous HM.

POEM is safe and effective in patients with failed HM and should be considered in patients with recurrent achalasia after HM. Outcomes of POEM are comparable in patients with and without prior HM.

Type III achalasia outcomes have historically been met with limited success after conventional laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) and pneumatic dilation. Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has emerged as a promising alterative for a multitude of reasons. Our objective was to investigate POEM outcomes in palliating type III achalasia.

A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database was conducted in a tertiary care institution between April 2014 and July 2019. The primary outcome was postoperative Eckardt score. We also explored the effect of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) integrated resting pressure (IRP) on manometry, barium column height and width, and complications. Standard statistical methods were applied using R.

A total of 518 patients in the achalasia database were identified, with 308 patients undergoing LHM and 210 undergoing POEM during the study period. POEM was used for type III achalasia in 36 patients (median age, 60 years; 61.7% male), with a median operative time of 85 minutes (interquartile range [IQR], 71-115 minutes) and follow-up of 1 year (IQR, 0.16-2.25 years). Within the POEM group, 11 patients (33%) had previous interventions, including Botox injections to the LES (n = 7), pneumatic dilation (n = 1), and LHM (n = 3). A significant decrease in median Eckardt score was observed (7 preoperatively [IQR, 6-8.75] vs 0 postoperatively [IQR, 0-1]; P < .01). Similar improvements after POEM were noted in median LES IRPs (25.5 mmHg vs 4.5 mmgHg; P < .01), 1-minute barium column height (10 cm vs 0 cm; P < .01), and 1-minute barium column width (2 cm vs 0 cm; P < .01). Patients reported a return to activities of daily living in a median of 7 days (IQR, 3-7 days). Three patients experienced complications, including mucosal perforation resolving with conservative management (n = 1), readmission for bleeding duodenal ulcer responding to proton pump inhibitors (n = 1), and readmission for dysphagia and rehydration (n = 1). Postoperative esophageal pH studies were conducted in 21 patients (62%), demonstrating a Demeester score of >14.72 in 13 patients (62%).

POEM provides effective and durable palliation for type III achalasia, as demonstrated by symptom relief, esophageal manometry, and radiographic measurement. Considering its low morbidity profile, POEM should be considered as first-line therapy in this challenging disease subtype.

POEM is a rescue endoscopic therapy for patients who had previously failed surgical or endoscopic treatment. However, data regarding its effectiveness after failed pneumatic dilation (PD) and its long-term effects are limited. We aimed to retrospectively investigate the long-term outcomes in patients who had undergone POEM after failed PD.

Data from 66 achalasia patients with a 2-year follow-up period were analyzed. Intraprocedural events were compared between the first POEM group (patients without prior-endoscopic intervention) and prior PD group (patients who had pre-POEM PD). Symptom evaluation, HRM and 24 h-pH DeMeester scores between the two groups were performed at 2 years after the POEM procedure. Muscularis externa samples were obtained from the lower esophagus using POEM to assess the muscle fibrosis with Azan-Mallory staining.

POEM was successfully performed for all achalasia patients. During the 2-year follow-up period, the success rate of POEM was 96.15% (25/26) for patients with prior PD and 95% (38/40) with primary POEM. For patients with type II achalasia and who underwent prior PD, the post-procedure DeMeester score was higher compared to patients who underwent POEM only (P < 0.05). A larger number of patients who underwent primary POEM (27.50%, 11/40) complained of mild heartburn compared to patients who underwent POEM after PD (7.69%, 2/26) (P < 0.05). With regards to fibrosis, the majority of patients who underwent POEM only were classified as F-1 (45.00%, 18/40), while the majority of patients who underwent prior PD were classified as F-2 (42.3%, 11/26). The degree of fibrosis was significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.05). Both surgical time and prior PD were correlated with the degree of fibrosis (P < 0.05).

Despite the technical challenges, pre-POEM endoscopic treatment does not impact the safety and efficacy of POEM in achalasia patients. Longer follow-up studies using larger cohorts are needed to determine long-term outcomes and complications of POEM.

Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) demonstrated similar efficacy to surgical myotomy in the management of achalasia. However, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is common after POEM. The aim of this study is to identify factors associated with GERD after POEM.

After searching electronic databases, randomized trials and observational studies including patients with achalasia or other spastic esophageal disorders, treated by POEM, and providing GERD data were selected. GERD was evaluated by 3 methods: pH monitoring, endoscopic findings, and symptoms. For each method, an analysis was performed comparing the outcomes related to the following independent variables: full-thickness (FT) vs circular myotomy, anterior vs posterior, long myotomy vs short myotomy, naive vs previous treatment failure, previous Heller myotomy (HM) vs non-previous-HM, Type I vs II, Type I vs III, and Type II vs III.

2869 publications were identified, and 25 studies met criteria for inclusion in the qualitative analysis. Of these, 18 were included in the meta-analysis. According to the endoscopic findings, circular and anterior myotomy demonstrated a lower trend of GERD with borderline significance (p = 0.06; p = 0.07, respectively). In the pH monitoring and symptom analyses, circular myotomy, anterior myotomy, treatment naive, and non-HM patients were associated with a lower occurrence of GERD; however, no statistically significant difference was found. When comparing achalasia subtypes, no statistical difference was found in all analyses.

This systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that a circular anterior approach may limit post-POEM GERD and should be considered in appropriate patients.

Heller myotomy (HM) is considered the standard surgical treatment for patients with achalasia. However, approximately 10% to 20% of patients with achalasia have persistent or recurrent symptoms after HM that require further therapy. Several studies have reported the outcomes of peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) in these patients. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of POEM in patients with achalasia with previous HM.

An electronic literature search of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library was conducted up to January 31, 2020. Studies evaluating the outcomes of POEM in patients with achalasia with previous HM were eligible for inclusion. The primary outcomes were the pooled rates of clinical success (defined as post-POEM Eckardt score ≤3), mean change in Eckardt score, lower esophageal sphincter pressure, and integrated relaxation pressure (IRP). The secondary outcomes were procedure-related adverse events (AEs) and incidence of postoperative GERD.

A total of 9 studies involving 272 patients with achalasia were recruited in this review. POEM was successfully performed in 270 (99.3%) patients after previous HM. Clinical success was achieved in 90.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 83.1%-96.8%) of patients. Eckardt score, lower esophageal sphincter pressure, and IRP were significantly lowered by 5.14 (95% CI, 4.19-6.09), 12.01 mm Hg (95% CI, 6.74-17.27), and 10.02 mm Hg (95% CI, 4.95-15.09), respectively. The pooled rates of postoperative symptomatic reflux, esophagitis, and abnormal pH monitoring were 36.9% (95% CI, 20.7%-53.1%), 33.0% (95% CI, 9.6%-56.4%), and 47.8% (95% CI, 33.4%-62.2%), respectively. Substantial heterogeneity was detected across all outcome measurements. Most of the AEs were self-limiting or managed conservatively.

POEM is a safe and effective treatment for patients with achalasia with previous HM. Further data from prospective, controlled studies with long-term follow-up are needed to confirm these findings.

Per oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has been reported as an effective and safe salvage therapy for achalasia but there is limited composite data. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that reported the rates of clinical success and adverse events among patients who underwent POEM after failed conventional endoscopic or surgical therapy.

Electronic literature search was conducted from inception through December 2018 for articles reporting the efficacy and safety of POEM in patients with achalasia who failed endoscopic or surgical therapy. Primary outcome was the pooled estimated rates of clinical success, defined as Eckardt score ≤ 3 after POEM. Secondary outcomes were procedural time, the rates of POEM-related gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and procedure-related adverse events.

Seven studies reporting outcomes on 487 patients met our criteria. Pooled estimated rate of clinical success of POEM was 88% (95% confidence interval (CI) 79-94%). Mean procedural time was 64 minutes (95% CI 44-85 minutes). POEM-related GERD was found in 20% (95% CI 16-24%) of patients. Estimated incidence of overall adverse events was 10% (95% CI 5-18%) with individual risk of bleeding, mucosotomy, pneumothorax, pneumoperitoneum hydrothorax/mediastinitis, and subcutaneous emphysema ranging from 1 to 4%.

Per oral endoscopic myotomy after failed endoscopic or surgical therapy in patients with achalasia is an effective and safe treatment. Further long-term follow-up studies in a larger number of patients are warranted to validate the sustainable efficacy of POEM for achalasia.

Since its introduction into clinical practice nearly a decade ago, per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has now become an accepted minimally invasive approach for the treatment of achalasia with excellent short- and mid-term clinical outcomes in both treatment naïve and those who have failed prior therapy. POEM is comparable to laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) in terms of efficacy and safety, with less procedural pain and faster recovery time. Recent data also reveals that POEM may be more effective and durable than pneumatic dilation (PD) for the treatment of achalasia, with similar safety profile. Preliminary data on POEM for spastic esophageal disorders (SED) is promising yet scarce. Post-POEM gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is common but asymptomatic in most patients, further highlighting the need for ongoing research in this field and the importance of long-term surveillance of these patients.

Achalasia is an esophageal motility disorder characterized by aberrant peristalsis and insufficient relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter. Patients most commonly present with dysphagia to solids and liquids, regurgitation, and occasional chest pain with or without weight loss. High-resolution manometry has identified 3 subtypes of achalasia distinguished by pressurization and contraction patterns. Endoscopic findings of retained saliva with puckering of the gastroesophageal junction or esophagram findings of a dilated esophagus with bird beaking are important diagnostic clues. In this American College of Gastroenterology guideline, we used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation process to provide clinical guidance on how best to diagnose and treat patients with achalasia.

Achalasia is a primary motility disorder of the esophagus, and while there are several treatment options, there is no consensus regarding them. When therapeutic intervention for achalasia fails, a careful evaluation of the cause of the persistent or recurrent symptoms using upper endoscopy, esophageal manometry, and contrast radiologic studies is required to understand the cause of therapy failure and guide plans for subsequent treatment. Options for reintervention are the same as for primary intervention and include pneumatic dilation, botulinum toxin injection, peroral endoscopic myotomy, or redo esophageal myotomy. When reintervention fails or if the esophagus is not amenable to intervention and the disease is considered end-stage, esophagectomy is the last option to manage recurrent achalasia.

Background and study aims  Per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is associated with a short-term clinical response of 82 % to 100 % in treatment of patients with achalasia. Data are limited on the long-term durability of the clinical response in these patients. The aim of this study was to determine the long-term outcomes of patients undergoing POEM for management of achalasia. Methods  This was a retrospective multicenter cohort study of consecutive patients who underwent POEM for management of achalasia. Patients had a minimum of 4 years follow-up. Clinical response was defined by an Eckardt score ≤ 3. Results  A total of 146 patients were included from 11 academic medical centers. Mean (± SD) age was 49.8 (± 16) years and 79 (54 %) were female. The most common type of achalasia was type II, seen in 70 (47.9 %) patients, followed by type I seen in 41 (28.1 %) patients. Prior treatments included: pneumatic dilation in 29 (19.9 %), botulinum toxin injection in 13 (8.9 %) and Heller myotomy in seven patients (4.8 %). Eight adverse events occurred (6 mucosotomies, 2 pneumothorax) in eight patients (5.5 %). Median follow-up duration was 55 months (IQR 49.9-60.6). Clinical response was observed in 139 (95.2 %) patients at follow-up of ≥ 48 months. Symptomatic reflux after POEM was seen in 45 (32.1 %) patients, while 35.3 % of patients were using daily PPI at 48 months post POEM. Reflux esophagitis was noted in 16.8 % of patients who underwent endoscopy. Conclusion  POEM is a durable and safe procedure with an acceptably low adverse event rate and an excellent long-term clinical response.

Esophageal achalasia is a primary motility disorder characterized by insufficient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation and loss of esophageal peristalsis. Achalasia is a chronic disease that causes progressive irreversible loss of esophageal motor function. The recent development of high-resolution manometry has facilitated the diagnosis of achalasia, and determining the achalasia subtypes based on high-resolution manometry can be important when deciding on treatment methods. Peroral endoscopic myotomy is less invasive than surgery with comparable efficacy. The present guidelines (the "2019 Seoul Consensus on Esophageal Achalasia Guidelines") were developed based on evidence-based medicine; the Asian Neurogastroenterology and Motility Association and Korean Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility served as the operating and development committees, respectively. The development of the guidelines began in June 2018, and a draft consensus based on the Delphi process was achieved in April 2019. The guidelines consist of 18 recommendations: 2 pertaining to the definition and epidemiology of achalasia, 6 pertaining to diagnoses, and 10 pertaining to treatments. The endoscopic treatment section is based on the latest evidence from meta-analyses. Clinicians (including gastroenterologists, upper gastrointestinal tract surgeons, general physicians, nurses, and other hospital workers) and patients could use these guidelines to make an informed decision on the management of achalasia.

Introduction: Epiphrenic esophageal diverticula are typically treated with concurrent cardiomyotomy and diverticulectomy. However, resection of these diverticula can be technically difficult and associated with significant morbidity with a staple line leak rate ranging up to 27%. For this reason, and because the diverticulum is secondary to a primary esophageal motility disorder such as achalasia, we decided to adopt a laparoscopic myotomy-first strategy, reserving the diverticulectomy for patients with persistent or recurrent symptoms. Methods: From 2004 to 2018, 22 patients with epiphrenic diverticula were treated by laparoscopic Heller myotomy and partial fundoplication alone, with the plan to add the diverticulectomy as a second stage if needed. There were 13 women and 9 women, with a mean age of 68 years. Results: Patients had been symptomatic for an average of 36 months. The most common presenting symptom was dysphagia (91%), followed by regurgitation (77%). More than half of the diverticula were solitary and on the right side. Esogphagoscopy ruled out cancer. Esophageal manometry (18 patients) showed achalasia in 14 patients, nutcracker esophagus in 3 patients, and nonspecific motility disorder in 1 patient. There were no perioperative complications, and average length of stay was 2.5 days. At a mean follow-up of 68 months, dysphagia resolved in 77% and regurgitation in 86% of patients. Three patients had persistent symptoms: 2 patients underwent a transthoracic diverticulectomy (1 patient with resolution of symptoms and 1 patient with no improvement). Another patient had per oral endoscopic myotomy, but his dysphagia persisted. Conclusions: The laparoscopic myotomy-first approach reduces risk and unnecessary surgery. A laparoscopic Heller myotomy and partial fundoplication provide excellent resolution of symptoms for most, whereasonly a few will need a staged resection of the diverticulum.

The main scope of this review article is to introduce readers to the innovative field of third-space endoscopy and offer a closer look at its history, milestones, and procedure spectrum while discussing ongoing and future challenges arising from its increasing adoption worldwide.

Over the past few years, third-space endoscopy has been utilized in various diagnostic and interventional procedures performed throughout the gastrointestinal tract: obliteration of Zenker's diverticulum, myotomy for achalasia, gastroparesis or Hirschsprung's disease, biopsy or removal of subepithelial tumors, stricture management, post-per-oral endoscopic myotomy endoscopic fundoplication, and mediastino-, thoraco-, and peritoneoscopy. Third-space endoscopic interventions have revolutionized the management of esophageal motility disorders, gastroparesis, and gastrointestinal tract subepithelial tumors. Despite the high efficacy and safety of such interventions, some common (e.g., the high level of necessary endoscopic skill) and unique for each procedure (e.g., post-procedure gastroesophageal reflux or poor outcomes in patient subgroups) challenges still remain. Through a dedicated endoscopic training, a rigorous pre-procedure patient evaluation and selection, and the application of modified or new techniques, challenges can be overcome thus establishing existing procedures and paving the way for additional breakthroughs in the field of third-space endoscopy.

Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a treatment option for patients with previous surgical or endoscopic treatment. We aimed to evaluate the influence of prior treatment on perioperative and follow-up outcomes in patients undergoing POEM.

From August 2010 to December 2014, a total of 1384 patients with achalasia underwent POEM at our center. We retrospectively reviewed 849 patients who completed follow-up. Patients with an Eckardt score ≥ 4 after POEM were considered to have a clinical failure. We compared variables between patients with and without prior treatment. We analyzed risk factors for perioperative major adverse events, and clinical reflux and failure during follow-up.  RESULTS:  245 patients (28.9 %) had undergone prior treatment, and 34 patients (4.0 %) experienced a major adverse event associated with the POEM procedure. During a median follow-up of 23 months (range 1 - 71), clinical reflux occurred in 203 patients (23.9 %) and clinical failure was recorded for 94 patients (11.1 %). Patients with prior treatment had a longer procedure duration (P = 0.001) and longer hospital stay after POEM (P = 0.001). Prior treatment was not an independent risk factor for major adverse events or clinical reflux (odds ratio [OR] 1.19, P = 0.65; OR 1.26, P = 0.19; logistic regression), but it did increase the rate of clinical failure during follow-up (hazard ratio 1.90, P = 0.002; Cox regression).

POEM was performed safely with a low rate of major adverse events in patients with achalasia who had undergone prior surgical or endoscopic treatment. However, prior treatment increased the risk of clinical failure after POEM.

In this paper, I reviewed the emerging field of endoscopic surgery and present data supporting the contention that endoscopy can now be used to treat many foregut diseases that have been traditionally treated surgically. Within each topic, the content will progress as follows: "lessons learned", "technical considerations" and "future opportunities". Lessons learned will provide a brief background and update on the most current literature. Technical considerations will include my personal experience, including tips and tricks that I have learned over the years. Finally, future opportunities will address current unmet needs and potential new areas of development. The foregut is defined as "the upper part of the embryonic alimentary canal from which the pharynx, esophagus, lung, stomach, liver, pancreas, and part of the duodenum develop". Foregut surgery is well established in treating conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), achalasia, esophageal diverticula, Barrett's esophagus (BE) and esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, gastric-outlet obstruction, and obesity. Over the past decade, remarkable progress in interventional endoscopy has culminated in the conceptualization and practice of endoscopic foregut surgery for various clinical conditions summarized in this paper. Regarding GERD, there are now several technologies available to effectively treat it and potentially eliminate symptoms, and the need for long-term treatment with proton pump inhibitors. For the first time, fundoplication can be performed without the need for open or laparoscopic surgery. Long-term data going out 5-10 years are now emerging showing extended durability. In respect to achalasia, per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) which was developed in Japan, has become an alternative to the traditional Heller's myotomy. Recent meta-analysis show that POEM may have better results than Heller, but the issue of post-POEM GERD still needs to be addressed. There is now a resurgence of endoscopic treatment of Zenker's diverticula with improved technique (Z-POEM) and equipment; thus, patients are choosing flexible endoscopic treatment as opposed to open or rigid endoscopy options. In regard to BE, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) which is well established in Asia, is now becoming more mainstream in the West for the treatment of BE with high grade dysplasia, as well as early esophageal cancer. In combination with all the ablation technologies (radiofrequency ablation, cryotherapy, hybrid argon plasma coagulation), the entire spectrum of Barrett's and related dysplasia and early cancer can be managed predominantly by endoscopy. Importantly, in regard to early gastric cancer and submucosal tumors (SMTs) of the stomach, ESD and full thickness resection (FTR) can excise these lesions en-bloc and endoscopic suturing is now used to close large defects and perforations. For treatment of patients with malignant gastric outlet obstruction (GOO), endoscopic gastro-jejunostomy is now showing better results than enteral stenting. G-POEM is also emerging as a treatment option for patients with gastroparesis. Obesity has become an epidemic in many western countries and is becoming also prevalent in Asia. Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is now becoming an established treatment option, especially for obese patients with body mass index between 30 and 35. Data show an average weight loss of 16 kg after ESG with long-term data confirming sustainability. Finally, in respect to endo-hepatology, there are many new endoscopic interventions that have been developed for patients with liver disease. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided liver biopsy and EUS-guided portal pressure measurement are exciting new frontiers for the endo-hepatologists.

Achalasia is a primary motility disorder of the esophagus characterized by aperistalsis and failure of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation. Treatment of achalasia aims at reducing LES pressure. The common treatment modalities are laparoscopic Heller myotomy and pneumatic dilatation, but during the last decade, a promising treatment, per oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM), has been introduced. The aim of the present study was to perform a systematic review of the literature to assess the outcome of POEM in treatment-naive patients.

A systematic literature search in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases was performed using the terms 'Achalasia AND (POEM OR peroral endoscopic myotomy OR per-oral endoscopic myotomy)'. Inclusion criteria were: original article; English language; n ≥ 20 with ≥90% treatment-naive patients; follow-up ≥3 months; and outcome evaluation of POEM including symptom score and objective tests. Exclusion criteria were: reviews and meta-analyses; pediatric data; duplicates; and articles with overlapping data material.

Of the 1641 articles identified, seven were included. The included studies all reported a short-term clinical success of >90%. Clinical success including post-POEM reflux was mainly estimated by symptom scorings. There were few procedure-related complications.

The studies of treatment-naive patients indicate a high rate of clinical success. Nevertheless, a more systematic and standardized evaluation is recommended to improve the reports on outcome of POEM. The follow-up rate should be high and the evaluation protocol should include both symptom scoring and objective testing with predefined treatment goals.

Esophageal achalasia is a primary esophageal motility disorder of unknown origin, characterized by lack of peristalsis and by incomplete or absent relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter in response to swallowing. The goal of treatment is to eliminate the functional obstruction at the level of the gastroesophageal junction. Areas covered: This comprehensive review will evaluate the current literature, illustrating the diagnostic evaluation and providing an evidence-based treatment algorithm for this disease. Expert commentary: Today, we have three very effective therapeutic modalities to treat patients with achalasia - pneumatic dilatation, peroral endoscopic myotomy, and laparoscopic Heller myotomy with fundoplication. Treatment should be tailored to the individual patient, in centers where a multidisciplinary approach is available. Esophageal resection should be considered as a last resort for patients who have failed prior therapeutic attempts.

Achalasia is a rare esophageal motility disorder. Much of the literature is based on the adult population. In adults, guidance of therapeutic approach by manometric findings has led to improvement in patient outcome. Promising results have been achieved with novel therapies such as PerOral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM). Areas covered: In this review, we provide an overview of the novel diagnostic and therapeutic tools for achalasia management and in what way they will relate to the future management of pediatric achalasia. We performed a PubMed and EMBASE search of English literature on achalasia using the keywords 'children', 'achalasia', 'pneumatic dilation', 'myotomy' and 'POEM'. Cohort studies < 10 cases and studies describing patients ≥ 20 years were excluded. Data regarding patient characteristics, treatment outcome and adverse events were extracted and presented descriptively, or pooled when possible. Expert commentary: Available data report that pneumatic dilation and laparoscopic Heller's myotomy are effective in children, with certain studies suggesting lower success rates in pneumatic dilation. POEM is increasingly used in the pediatric setting with promising short-term results. Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) may occur post-achalasia intervention due to disruption of the LES and therefore requires diligent follow-up, especially in children treated with POEM.