Peroral esophageal myotomy (POEM) and laparoscopic Heller myotomy produce a similar short-term anatomic and functional effect.
BACKGROUND
Peroral esophageal myotomy (POEM) differs from laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) in that only the circular muscle layer of the esophagus is divided, the hiatus is not mobilized, and an antireflux procedure is not performed. The effect of these differences on anatomic and functional outcomes is unknown.


METHODS
Patients who underwent LHM or POEM and had both a pre- and postoperative timed barium esophagogram were selected for analysis. Timed barium esophagograms were performed with 200 mL of contrast, with radiographs taken at 1, 2, and 5 minutes.


RESULTS
A total o f 17 LHM and 12 POEM patients had undergone pre- and postoperative timed barium esophagograms. Both groups had decreased column heights postoperatively at 1, 2, and 5 minutes (LHM: pre, 15.6, 12.7, 11.3 cm vs post, 3.6, 2.5, 1.8 cm; P < .001 and POEM: pre, 14.7, 11, 9.4 cm vs post, 4.4, 2.5, 1.2 cm; P < .001). There was no difference between procedures in changes from baseline column height. Both operations resulted in decreased esophageal width and less angulation between the esophageal body and esophagogastric junction.


CONCLUSIONS
POEM and LHM produce a similar short-term anatomic and functional result at the esophagogastric junction. POEM results in a similar narrowing and straightening of the esophagus despite the fact that POEM does not involve hiatal mobilization.
Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL.
Ezra N
EN
Teitelbaum
Shankar
S
Rajeswaran
Raymond
R
Zhang
Ryan T
RT
Sieberg
Frank H
FH
Miller
Nathaniel J
NJ
Soper
Eric S
ES
Hungness
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography