POEM is a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure that helps in the treatment of Achalasia. This procedure has made the treatment of the poem for Achalasia much less complicated and painful for the patient.
The write-up focuses on the condition of Achalasia as well as this innovative treatment procedure.
What is POEM for Achalasia?
Achalasia is a condition in which the lower oesophagal sphincter gets damaged due to which food that is swallowed does not empty into the abdomen. This leads to a condition known as dysphagia wherein the person always has a feeling of food stuck in the throat and even feels nauseated. People suffering from Achalasia eventually develop other serious conditions like weight loss, chest pain, difficulty in swallowing, etc.
POEM: An Effective Treatment for Achalasia
While earlier Laparoscopic Heller Myotomy was considered the most effective treatment for Achalasia, it required making multiple incisions in the abdomen. POEM, which is the abbreviated form of Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy, however, replaced this procedure as it requires just one incision and is more efficient.
In this procedure, a flexible upper endoscope is first used to create an incision into the mucosa of the oesophagus. The endoscope is then pushed down into the oesophagus after which an endoscopic myotomy is carried out. After the procedure is completed, the oesophageal mucosal incision is sealed with the help of clips. The entire procedure of POEM is done under general anaesthesia and takes about 2-3 hours to complete.
After the adequate recuperation time, the next morning, an upper GI is performed in order to assess how well the patient can swallow. The patient is given a full liquid diet for two consecutive weeks after the procedure. For the follow-ups after POEM for Achalasia, be it in Delhi or any other city, doctors call the patients to the hospital or their clinics after a span of two weeks and then again after a span of six weeks.
Advantages of POEM
Since POEM involves making a single small incision, it ensures minimal discomfort for the patient. People undergoing POEM also enjoy quick recovery with no visible scars. With POEM for Achalasia done by doctors in Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore or any other city, there is also a minimal chance of injury to other organs along with fewer chances of incisional hernias.
