Search

Background: Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has been recently introduced in clinical practice for the treatment of achalasia. The endoluminal functional lumen imaging probe (EndoFLIP) system) uses impedance planimetry for the real-time measurement of the diameter of the oesophago-gastric junction., Objective: The aim of this study is to prospectively evaluate the effect of POEM on the oesophago-gastric junction using EndoFLIP., Methods: All the patients who underwent POEM in a single centre between April and July 2013 were enrolled in the study. EndoFLIP was used intraoperatively, immediately before and after POEM. During follow-up patients underwent oesophagogastroduodenoscopy, oesophageal pH monitoring and manometry. Clinical outcomes were compared with the diameter of the oesophago-gastric junction after POEM., Results: In total, 23 patients (12 males, mean age 51.7 years) were enrolled, and 21 underwent POEM successfully. Preoperative mean basal lower oesophageal sphincter pressure was 42.1 mmHg (±17.6). Before POEM, the mean oesophago-gastric junction diameter and cross-sectional area were 6.3 mm (±1.8) and 32.9 mm(2) (±23.1), respectively. After treatment, the mean diameter and cross-sectional area of the oesophago-gastric junction were 11.3 mm (±1.7 SD) and 102.38 mm(2) (±28.2 SD), respectively. No complications occurred during a mean follow-up of 5 months. Median post-operative Eckardt score was 1. Three patients (14.3%) referred heartburn. Follow-up studies revealed gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) in 57.1% of patients and oesophagitis in 33.3%. No correlations were observed between the diameter of oesophago-gastric junction after POEM and symptoms relief, GORD incidence and lower oesophageal sphincter pressure., Conclusions: The diameter of oesophago-gastric junction substantially increases after POEM. EndoFLIP is a reliable method for the intraoperative evaluation of oesophago-gastric junction diameter. However, the real usefulness of this technology after POEM remains controversial.

Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a new endoscopic technique for the treatment of esophageal achalasia, with excellent results in adults. Three children with classic-type achalasia (mean age 9.6 years) underwent POEM in a single center. Mean basal lower esophageal sphincter pressure and Eckard score were 34.6 mmHg and 5.3, respectively. Mean length of myotomy was 10 cm. On average, POEM was completed in 60.6 minutes. No patients experienced postoperative complications or gastroesophageal reflux disease. In the 2 patients who completed a 12-month follow-up, complete symptoms relief was documented (Eckard score 0), as well as a significant drop of the basal lower esophageal sphincter pressure.

Introduction. Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy has the potential burden of antibiotic-associated gastrointestinal (GI) side effects. The occurrence of side effects is among the major drawbacks of such regimens. GI manifestations may be related to alterations in the intestinal microflora. Probiotics can prevent or reduce antibiotic-associated side effects and have an inhibitory effect on H. pylori. Methods. To define the efficacy of Lactobacillus reuteri supplementation in H. pylori eradication and in preventing GI-associated side effects during a second-line levofloxacin triple therapy. 90 H. pylori-positive patients receive for 7 days a second-line triple therapy with esomeprazole, levofloxacin, and amoxicillin with L. reuteri for 14 days (group 1) and without probiotic supplementation (group 2). Each subject received a validated questionnaire to record symptoms everyday for 4 weeks from the start of therapy. H. pylori status and side effects were assessed 6 weeks after treatment. Results. The eradication rate was significantly influenced by probiotic supplementation with L. reuteri (group 1: 36/45, 80%; group 2: 28/45 62%; P < 0.05). The incidence of nausea and diarrhoea in group 1 was significantly lower than that in group 2. Conclusion. In H. pylori-positive subjects L. reuteri supplementation increases the eradication rate while reducing the incidence of the most common side effects associated with antibiotic therapy in second-line treatment.