Same site submucosal tunneling for a repeat per oral endoscopic myotomy: A safe and feasible option.
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.
Antonios N Wehbeh, Department of Internal Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States.
Antonios N
AN
Wehbeh
Antonios N Wehbeh, Department of Internal Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States.
Parit
P
Mekaroonkamol
Antonios N Wehbeh, Department of Internal Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States.
Qiang
Q
Cai
Achalasia; Myotomy; Per oral endoscopic myotomy; Repeat procedure; Submucosal fibrosis; Submucosal tunnel