Three-to-six month post-POEM timed barium esophagram can predict esophageal contents and may stratify aspiration risk on follow-up EGD.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is an increasingly utilized endoscopic therapy for achalasia. When undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), patients with a diagnosis of achalasia may receive endotracheal intubation (EI) to reduce the risk of aspiration. The risk of aspiration on post-POEM EGD should be reduced due to improved esophageal emptying. Despite history of myotomy, treated achalasia patients frequently receive EI on follow-up EGD increasing costs, procedural time, and potential risks from anesthesia. We determined if timed barium esophagram (TBE) findings three to six months after POEM predict the presence of esophageal contents on follow up endoscopy which may indicate aspiration risk.

Methods

We identified achalasia patients who underwent POEM fro

SUBMITTER: Liberto JD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11993974 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature