Gastroesophageal reflux following per-oral endoscopic myotomy:Can we improve outcomes?

This editorial is an analysis the review article by Nabi et al recently published in this journal.Achalasia Cardia is a disease whose pathophysiology is still unclear.It is known that there is inflammation of unknown aetiology leading to loss of ganglion cells in the muscularis propria.The end result is lower oesophageal sphincter spasm,loss of receptive relaxation,decreased oesophageal peristalsis,all leading on to varying degrees of dysphagia.The treatment of this condition is palliative in nature,performed by myotomy of the lower oesophagus either surgically or endoscopically.Gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD)has been associated with the myotomy performed,particularly with the Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy(POEM)procedure.Nabi et al have provided an excellent overview of the latest developments in predicting,preventing,evaluating,and managing GERD subsequent to POEM.Based on this theme,this review article explores the concept of using histology of the oesophageal muscle layer,to grade the disease and thereby help tailoring the length/type of myotomy performed during the POEM procedure.In the future,will a histology based algorithm available preoperatively,help modify the POEM procedure,thereby decreasing the incidence of GERD associated with POEM?

Navigating reflux disease after achalasia treatments:Balancing risks and benefits

The peroral endoscopic myotomy(POEM)procedure has revolutionized the management of achalasia in many centres around the world as it offers patients a minimally invasive endoscopic solution to their dysphagia caused by achalasia.Alongside its success in alleviating dysphagia,concerns regarding postoperative gastroesophageal reflux disease have emerged as a pertinent issue which are not fully resolved.In this study,Nabi et al have comprehensively reviewed the topic of the prediction,prevention and management of gastroesophageal reflux after POEM.POEM is a purely endoscopic procedure which is usually performed without any anti-reflux procedure.Certain patients may be better served by a laparoscopic Heller’s myotomy and fundoplication and it is important that gastroenterologists and surgeons provide comprehensive risks and benefits of each achalasia treatment option so that patients can decide what treatment is best for them.This article by Nabi et al provides a comprehensive review of the current status of this issue to allow these discussions to occur.

改良Heller手术附加胃底折叠术治疗贲门失弛缓症55例疗效观察

目的总结改良Heller手术附加胃底折叠术治疗贲门失弛缓症的临床经验。方法1990年1月至2006年11月,对55例贲门失弛缓症施行改良Heller手术附加胃底折叠术。手术经左开胸,纵行切开食管肌层6～10 cm,使黏膜膨出达到食管周径的1/2～2/3,最后将胃底上提覆盖于食管贲门肌肉切开处,并用细丝线间断缝合固定在食管肌层切缘上。结果55例患者治愈39例(78%),好转11例(22%),总有效率100%,全组无死亡病例。50例获得随访,随访率90.9%,随访期1～11年。结论改良Heller手术附加胃底折叠术,简单易行,治疗效果较好,尤其是抗返流效果满意。

贲门失驰缓症外科治疗术式的改进

目的：评价手术治疗贲门失驰缓症的方法；方法：外科治疗贲门失驰缓症２２例，其中改良Ｈｅｌｅｒ手术１２例，Ｈｅｌｅｒ手术附加胃底折叠术４例，Ｈｅｌｅｒ手术加转移膈肌瓣手术４例，胸腔镜手术１例，食管胃弓上吻合１例；结果：随访１月至８年，疗效满意，５例有返流性食管炎的症状；结论：作者认为附加抗返流术式疗效确切，转移膈肌瓣手术优于胃底折叠术，胸腔镜手术创伤小，恢复快，值得推荐。