Efficacy of per-oral endoscopic myotomy for the treatment of non-achalasia esophageal motor disorders

Per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is effective in achalasia. The objective of this study was to evaluate the short-term clinical efficacy of POEM in non-achalasia esophageal motility disorders (NAEMD).

Patients with NAEMD diagnosed by high-resolution manometry were included in a retrospective multicentric study. For each individual case, two controls paired on gender and age were matched: one with type I/II achalasia and one with type III achalasia. The clinical response, defined by an Eckardt score ≤ 3, was assessed at 3 and 6 months.

Ninety patients (mean age 66 years, 57 men) were included, 30 patients with NAEMD (13 jackhammer esophagus, 6 spastic esophageal disorders, 4 nutcracker esophagus, and 7 esophagogastric junction obstruction), 30 patients with type I–II achalasia, and 30 patients with type III achalasia. The 3-month response rates were 80% (24/30), 90% (27/30), and 100% (30/30) in NAEMD, type I–II achalasia and type III achalasia, respectively (p < 0.01). Eckardt scores improved from preoperative baseline in all groups (median scores 2.0 after POEM vs. 6.5 before POEM, 1.3 vs. 7.2, and 0.5 vs. 6.1 in NAEMD, type I//I and Type III, respectively). No predictive factor of response was identified. In NAEMD patients, there was a significant improvement of dysphagia, regurgitation, and chest pain scores. The 6-month response rates were 63.2% (12/19), 95.5% (21/22), and 87.0% (20/23) in NAEMD, type I–II achalasia and type III achalasia, respectively (p = 0.03).

Although less effective than in achalasia, POEM is an effective treatment for NAEMD. Long-term follow-up data are needed to further confirm that POEM may be a valid treatment of NAEMD.