What
What is Achalasia?
This is a rare esophageal motility disorder. Simply put, the 'valve' (lower esophageal sphincter) at the lower end of the esophagus malfunctions, failing to relax when it should, causing food and liquid to be unable to enter the stomach smoothly, accumulating in the esophagus.
Patients primarily endure immense suffering, severely affecting nutritional intake and quality of life.
What is POEM surgery?
POEM (Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy) is a revolutionary ultra-minimally invasive treatment technique. It cleverly uses an endoscope to create a tunnel in the submucosal layer of the esophagus, then precisely cuts the spasmodic and constricted circular muscle (lower esophageal sphincter) within the tunnel, fundamentally relieving the obstruction and restoring the sphincter's 'open-close' function.
No incisions on the body surface
Precise cutting
Restoration of sphincter function
How
- Pre-surgery Diagnosis and Assessment: Diagnose and classify achalasia using gastroscopy, esophageal manometry, and barium swallow tests to assess suitability for POEM surgery.
- Preoperative Preparation: Conduct necessary blood tests, ECG, etc., and fast before surgery.
- Undergo POEM Surgery: Performed under general anesthesia, completely painless. Main steps include: creating a submucosal tunnel → endoscopic myotomy → closing the tunnel entry.
- Postoperative Monitoring: Post-surgery requires a brief fasting period, followed by a gradual transition to liquid and semi-liquid diets. The doctor will closely monitor for any signs of fever or chest pain.
- Discharge and Recovery: Hospital observation for 3-5 days, and discharge is possible once swallowing function stabilizes. After discharge, a soft diet should still be followed for a short period.
- Long-term Follow-up: Regular post-operative check-ups to assess long-term efficacy and improvement in quality of life.
Recovery
FAQ
Is the effect of POEM surgery permanent? Will it recur?
The long-term efficacy of POEM surgery is very certain, with a success rate of over 90%. The vast majority of patients achieve lasting relief. A very small number of patients may experience symptom recurrence due to incomplete muscle incision or individual physical reasons, but the incidence is very low. Even if recurrence occurs, most can undergo endoscopic treatment again.
Is the surgery safe? What are the risks?
In experienced medical centers, POEM is a very safe technique. The main risks include: mucosal layer damage/perforation, subcutaneous emphysema, mediastinal emphysema, bleeding, and infection. These complications are manageable by a skilled endoscopic team.
What dietary precautions should be taken post-surgery?
Post-surgery, a gradual dietary progression should be followed: fasting for 1-2 days; then gradually transitioning: clear liquids → full liquids → semi-liquids → soft foods; about 1-2 weeks later, normal diet can be resumed gradually, but it is still recommended to chew thoroughly and avoid overly hard or hot foods.