AGA’s latest clinical practice update provides new guidance on using per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) to treat esophageal motility disorders such as achalasia. We provide you with 12 key insights covering the updated use of POEM for other esophageal disorders, optimal procedural techniques, and comprehensive care guidelines for patients before and after treatment.
Watch as Drs. Dennis Yang and Vani Konda break down the key updates with POEM.
Best practice advice statements
- Patients evaluated for POEM should undergo a comprehensive diagnostic workup, which includes clinical history, medication review, upper endoscopy, timed barium esophagram, and high-resolution manometry. Endoscopic functional luminal impedance planimetry can be a helpful adjunct test, particularly when the diagnosis is equivocal.
- POEM, laparoscopic Heller myotomy, and pneumatic dilation are effective therapies for type I and type II achalasia. The decision between these treatment modalities should be based on shared decision making, taking into account patient and disease characteristics, patient preferences, and local expertise. POEM should be considered the preferred treatment for type III achalasia.
For all 12 best practice advice statements, read the AGA Clinical Practice Update, published in Gastroenterology.
