44. LONG-TERM OUTCOMES OF PERORAL ENDOSCOPIC MYOTOMY FOR PATIENTS WITH ACHALASIA: A SINGLE-CENTRE STUDY

Abstract

and study aims: The short-term outcomes of Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for achalasia are well described, however, there is limited long-term data in the literature. This study aims to retrospectively assess the long-term outcomes of the POEM in a Canadian tertiary care centre. All patients who underwent POEM for treatment of Achalasia with minimum follow-up of at least 4 years at a tertiary care centre were enrolled in this study. The primary outcome of the study was clinical success defined as a post-POEM Eckardt score ≤ 3 at ≥48 months. Secondary outcomes included changes in body mass index (BMI), incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), adverse events and length of hospital stay. Thirty-eight patient (aged 53.9 ± 17.9) underwent POEM, with a median follow-up period of 61 months (48–79). The mean Eckardt score was significantly reduced from 7.7 ± 1.9 to 1.2 ± 0.6 (P < 0.001). All patients achieved post-POEM Eckardt scores of ≤3 at ≥48 months. BMI increased from 27.4 ± 6.5 pre-POEM to 29.4 ± 6.7 (P < 0.003) post-POEM. Twelve (31.5%) patients developed pathologic reflux. POEM is an effective and safe procedure for achalasia with durable long-term outcomes. Larger series with longer follow-up are required to confirm these results.