Management of achalasia in 2020: Per-oral endoscopic myotomy, Heller’s or dilatation?

Mohan Ramchandani,Partha Pal 소화기인터벤션의학회 2020 Gastrointestinal Intervention Vol.9 No.2

Achalasia cardia is a rare esophageal motility disorder. Although a primary neurological disorder, the treatment modalities of achalasia are primarily endoscopic or surgical. Pneumatic dilatation (PD) or laparoscopic Heller’s myotomy (LHM) have been the mainstay of achalasia management for several decades. With the introduction of third space endoscopy, the endoscopic management of achalasia has revolutionized. Randomized studies have concluded the superiority of per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) over PD. In addition, the short-term outcomes of POEM are similar to LHM. POEM is a relatively new technique and long-term data is eagerly awaited. The main concern after POEM is a high incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) which is found in about half of the patients undergoing this procedure. GERD is higher after POEM when compared to PD and LHM with fundoplication. The management of achalasia should be individualized and based on factors like patient characteristics (age, sex, comorbidities), subtyping on high resolution manometry, patient/doctor preference, and surgical risk of the patient.

Management of achalasia in 2020: Per-oral endoscopic myotomy, Heller’s or dilatation?

Mohan Ramchandani,Partha Pal 소화기인터벤션의학회 2020 International journal of gastrointestinal interven Vol.9 No.2

Achalasia cardia is a rare esophageal motility disorder. Although a primary neurological disorder, the treatment modalities of achalasia are primarily endoscopic or surgical. Pneumatic dilatation (PD) or laparoscopic Heller’s myotomy (LHM) have been the mainstay of achalasia management for several decades. With the introduction of third space endoscopy, the endoscopic management of achalasia has revolutionized. Randomized studies have concluded the superiority of per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) over PD. In addition, the short-term outcomes of POEM are similar to LHM. POEM is a relatively new technique and long-term data is eagerly awaited. The main concern after POEM is a high incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) which is found in about half of the patients undergoing this procedure. GERD is higher after POEM when compared to PD and LHM with fundoplication. The management of achalasia should be individualized and based on factors like patient characteristics (age, sex, comorbidities), subtyping on high resolution manometry, patient/doctor preference, and surgical risk of the patient.

Comparison of Short Versus Long Esophageal Myotomy in Cases With Idiopathic Achalasia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

( Zaheer Nabi ),( Mohan Ramchandani ),( Mahiboob Sayyed ),( Radhika Chavan ),( Santosh Darisetty ),( Rajesh Goud ),( H V V Murthy ),( D Nageshwar Reddy ) 대한소화기기능성질환·운동학회(구 대한소화관운동학회) 2021 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.27 No.1

Background/Aims Per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is an established treatment for achalasia. The technique of POEM is still evolving and the impact of length of esophageal myotomy on the outcomes of POEM is not known. In this study, we aim to compare the outcomes of short (3 cm) versus long (6 cm and above) esophageal myotomy in patients undergoing POEM for achalasia cardia. Methods Consecutive patients with idiopathic achalasia (type I and II) were randomized to receive short (3 cm) or long esophageal myotomy (≥ 6 cm). Both groups were compared for clinical success, operative time, adverse events, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Results Seventy-one consecutive patients with type I and II achalasia underwent POEM with short (n = 34) or long (n = 37) esophageal myotomy techniques. Mean length of esophageal myotomy in short and long groups was 2.76 ± 0.41 and 7.97 ± 2.40, respectively (P < 0.001). Mean operative time was significantly shorter in short myotomy group (44.03 ± 13.78 minutes and 72.43 ± 27.28 minutes, P < 0.001). Clinical success was comparable in both arms at 1-year (Eckardt score 0.935 ± 0.929 vs 0.818 ± 0.983, P = 0.627). Improvement in objective parameters including integrated relaxation pressure and barium column height at 5 minutes was similar in both groups. GERD was detected in 50.88% patients with no significant difference in short and long myotomy groups (44.44% vs 56.67%, P = 0.431). Conclusions A short esophageal myotomy is non-inferior to long myotomy with regards to clinical success, adverse events, and GERD in cases with type I and II achalasia. Reduced operating duration favors short esophageal myotomy in these patients. (J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2021;27:63-70)

Per Oral Endoscopic Myotomy in Children with Achalasia Cardia

( Zaheer Nabi ),( Mohan Ramchandani ),( D Nageshwar Reddy ),( Santosh Darisetty ),( Rama Kotla ),( Rakesh Kalapala ),( Radhika Chavan ) 대한소화기기능성질환·운동학회(구 대한소화관운동학회) 2016 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.22 No.4

Background/Aims Achalasia cardia (AC) is a motility disorder, characterized by impaired lower esophageal sphincter relaxation and absence of esophageal peristalsis. AC is rare in children with unclear optimum management strategies. Per oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a novel technique for management of achalasia with encouraging results in adult patients. The efficacy and safety of POEM is not known for pediatric AC. The aim of our study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of POEM in children with achalasia cardia Methods The data of all children (< 18 years) who underwent POEM at our center was retrospectively analysed. Symptoms were analysed using a validated score (Eckardt score) at regular predefined intervals. Objective parameters including high-resolution manometry, timed barium swallow and esophagogastroduodenoscopy were assessed before the procedure and at 1-year follow-up. Clinical success was defined as an Eckardt score ≤ 3. Results A total of 15 children underwent POEM during the specified period. Ten out of 15 (10/15) completed 1-year follow-up. Median operative time was 100 (38-240) minutes. Mean pre and post procedure LES pressure were 36.64 ± 11.08 mmHg and 15.65 ± 5.73 mmHg, respectively (P = 0.001). Mean Eckardt score before and after the POEM was 7.32 ± 1.42 and 1.74 ± 0.67, respectively (P = 0.001). Mean percentage improvement in barium emptying at 5 minutes was 63.70 ± 4.46%. All children had complete resolution of symptoms at 1 year. Median weight gain of children at 1 year was 0.65 kg (range, 0.0-4.6). Conclusions POEM is safe and effective for children and adolescents with achalasia. Future trials with larger sample size are warranted to establish its efficacy in pediatric AC.

Achalasia Cardia Subtyping by High-Resolution Manometry Predicts the Therapeutic Outcome of Pneumatic Balloon Dilatation

( Nitesh Pratap ),( Rakesh Kalapala ),( Santosh Darisetty ),( Nitin Joshi ),( Mohan Ramchandani ),( Rupa Banerjee ),( Sandeep Lakhtakia ),( Rajesh Gupta ),( Manu Tandan ),( Nageshwar Reddy ) 대한소화기기능성질환·운동학회(구 대한소화관운동학회) 2011 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.17 No.1

Background/Aims High-resolution manometry (HRM) with pressure topography is used to subtype achalasia cardia, which has therapeutic implications. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical characteristics, manometric variables and treatment outcomes among the achalasia subtypes based on the HRM findings. Methods The patients who underwent HRM at the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, Hyderabad between January 2008 and January 2009 were enrolled. The patients with achalasia were categorized into 3 subtypes: type I - achalasia with minimum esophageal pressurization, type Ⅱ - achalasia with esophageal compression and type Ⅲ - achalasia with spasm. The clinical and manometric variables and treatment outcomes were compared. Results Eighty-nine out of the 900 patients who underwent HRM were diagnosed as achalasia cardia. Fifty-one patients with a minimum follow-up period of 6 months were included. Types I and Ⅱ achalasia were diagnosed in 24 patients each and 3 patients were diagnosed as type Ⅲ achalasia. Dysphagia and regurgitation were the main presenting symptoms in patients with types I and Ⅱ achalasia. Patients with type Ⅲ achalasia had high basal lower esophageal sphincter pressure and maximal esophageal pressurization when compared to types I and II. Most patients underwent pneumatic dilatation (type I, 22/24; type Ⅱ, 20/24; type Ⅲ, 3/3). Patients with type Ⅱ had the best response to pneumatic dilatation (18/20, 90.0%) compared to types I (14/22, 63.3%) and Ⅲ (1/3, 33.3%). Conclusions The type Ⅱ achalasia cardia showed the best response to pneumatic dilatation. (J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2011;17:48-53)