Clinical outcomes of peroral endoscopic myotomy with and without septotomy for management of epiphrenic diverticula: an international multicenter experience.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: There are few data favoring the need for septotomy at the time of peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) or if POEM alone is sufficient. Our aim was to compare POEM outcomes with and without septotomy (POEM+S or POEM-S) in patients with symptomatic epiphrenic diverticula (ED) and an underlying motility disorder. METHODS: This was an international, multicenter retrospective study involving 21 centers between January 2014 and January 2023. Patients with ED and an underlying motility disorder who underwent POEM were included. The primary outcome was clinical success (Eckardt score [ES] ≤3 or a 1-point drop in ES for patients with baseline ES <3) without the need for repeat surgical/endoscopic interventions during follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 85 patients (mean age, 64.29 ± 17.1 years; 32 [37.6%] female) with ED and underlying motility disorder underwent POEM+S (n = 47) or POEM-S (n = 38). Patients in the POEM+S group had a significantly higher mean pre-POEM ES (7.3 ± 2.1 vs 5.8 ± 2; P = .002). The most common indication for POEM was achalasia (51% in the POEM+S cohort and 51.8% in the POEM-S cohort; P = .7). A posterior approach was favored in the POEM+S group (76.6% vs 52.6%; P = .02). A similar rate of technical success was seen in both groups (97.9% vs 100%; P = .1). The rate of adverse events was similar between the 2 cohorts (4.2% vs 8.1%; P = .6). The median length of hospital stay after POEM-S was significantly longer compared with POEM+S (2 days [interquartile range (IQR), 1-4 days] vs 1 day [IQR, 1-2 days]; P = .005). Clinical success was equivalent between the 2 groups (83% vs 86.8%; P = .6) at a median follow-up duration of 8 months (IQR, 3-19 months). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with ED and an underlying motility disorder, both POEM+S and POEM-S are equally safe and effective, with similar procedure duration and a low recurrence rate at short-term follow-up. Future comparative prospective studies with long-term follow-up are required to validate these findings.

Clinical outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial esophageal neoplasia in close proximity to esophageal varices: a multicenter international experience.

BACKGROUND : There are limited data on the feasibility of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for superficial esophageal neoplasia (SEN) located at or adjacent to esophageal varices. We aimed to evaluate the outcomes of ESD in these patients. METHODS: This multicenter retrospective study included cirrhotic patients with a history of esophageal varices with SEN located at or adjacent to the esophageal varices who underwent ESD. RESULTS: 23 patients with SEN (median lesion size 30 mm; 16 squamous cell neoplasia and seven Barrett's esophagus-related neoplasia) were included. The majority were Child-Pugh B (57 %) and had small esophageal varices (87 %). En bloc, R0, and curative resections were achieved in 22 (96 %), 21 (91 %), and 19 (83 %) of patients, respectively. Severe intraprocedural bleeding (n = 1) and delayed bleeding (n = 1) were successfully treated endoscopically. No delayed perforation, hepatic decompensation, or deaths were observed. During a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 36 (22-55) months, one case of local recurrence occurred after noncurative resection. CONCLUSION: ESD is feasible and effective for SEN located at or adjacent to esophageal varices in cirrhotic patients. Albeit, the majority of the esophageal varices in our study were small in size, when expertise is available, ESD should be considered as a viable option for such patients.

Clinical outcomes of anti-reflux mucosal ablation for gastroesophageal reflux disease: An international bi-institutional study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Anti-reflux mucosal ablation (ARMA) is an emerging endoscopic treatment aimed at enhancing the gastroesophageal junction flap valve. This study aimed to evaluate its feasibility, effectiveness, and safety. METHODS: Between May 2018 and December 2022, patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms refractory to acid suppression medications or those dependent on such medications were enrolled for ARMA. This retrospective analysis utilized prospectively collected data from an international bi-center study. GERD questionnaire, upper endoscopy, and 24-h pH monitoring were conducted at 2-6 months and 12 months post-ARMA. Clinical success was defined as a > 50% reduction in a validated GERD questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 68 patients underwent ARMA. Definitive GERD was diagnosed in 44 (64.7%) patients, while 24 (35.3%) exhibited reflux hypersensitivity. Clinical success rates at 2-6 months and 1 year post-ARMA were 60% (39/65) and 70% (21/30), respectively. The median GERD-health-related quality of life score significantly improved from 26 to 11 at 2-6 months (P < 0.001). Among the 51 patients (71.8%) who underwent 24-h pH monitoring, the median acid exposure time decreased from 5.3% to 0.7% (P = 0.003), accompanied by a significant reduction in esophagitis rates (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis did not identify predictors of short-term success. Nine (13.2%) patients experienced transient stenosis requiring balloon dilation. CONCLUSIONS: ARMA demonstrates both technical feasibility and reproducibility as a safe procedure that effectively ameliorates GERD symptoms in approximately two-thirds of patients during short-term follow up. Both reflux hypersensitivity and confirmed GERD patients, regardless of their response to acid suppression medication, may be suitable candidates.

Functional Endoscopy.

BACKGROUND: Functional endoscopy signifies a significant advancement in gastrointestinal examination, integrating motor function assessments alongside routine endoscopy findings. Traditional gastrointestinal endoscopy primarily focuses on the detection of early-stage cancer by identifying morphological changes within the gastrointestinal tract. These alterations include modifications in lumen structure, color tone, and surface patterns, which can be diagnosed using endoscopic images that assess these morphological changes. In contrast, functional endoscopy aims to dynamically evaluate the peristaltic movements of the digestive tract and the presence or movement of reflux of digestive fluids during the endoscopic procedure. It also seeks to identify morphological changes such as hiatal hernias, as observed in conventional endoscopy. Consequently, relying solely on endoscopic images proves inadequate for diagnosis, necessitating continuous observation of these dynamic movements. SUMMARY: The endoscopic pressure study integrated system (EPSIS) serves as an exemplar of functional endoscopy. It incorporates a stress test to assess the functionality of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) through intragastric insufflation. A crucial element of EPSIS evaluation is the identification of the scope holding sign (SHS), which signifies LES contraction. EPSIS also encompasses the observation of esophageal peristaltic waves and the auditory detection of burping, providing a comprehensive diagnostic approach while observing the sphincter from a retroflex view on the stomach side. By integrating these dynamic findings, functional endoscopy offers an efficient method for diagnosing functional gastrointestinal diseases, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). KEY MESSAGES: Functional endoscopy combines motor function assessments with traditional endoscopy, enhancing the diagnostic capabilities of gastrointestinal examinations. Traditional endoscopy focuses on identifying morphological changes, while functional endoscopy evaluates dynamic movements, reflux, and sphincter functionality. EPSIS exemplifies functional endoscopy, featuring a stress test and the SHS for LES contraction assessment. EPSIS provides a comprehensive approach to diagnose GERD by integrating dynamic observations.

Advancements in minimally invasive endoscopic treatment: Navigating deeper layers for upper gastrointestinal lesion.

The field of minimally invasive endoscopic treatment has seen a continual progression, marked by significant advancements in treatment devices and the refinement of endoscopic techniques. While endoscopic resection has become the standard for treating superficial gastrointestinal neoplasms, a proactive approach becomes imperative when dealing with lesions that extend beyond the submucosal layer and deeper into the muscularis propria. The ongoing evolution of endoscopic closure techniques has facilitated the introduction of advanced procedures such as endoscopic muscularis dissection, endoscopic subserosal dissection, and endoscopic full-thickness resection. This evolution is achieved by the commitment to improve the efficacy and precision in treating challenging lesions. Nevertheless, there is currently a lack of definitive guidelines or consensus regarding the specifics of deeper layer dissection. Drawing from prior research and clinical insights, this review discusses indications, techniques, clinical outcomes, and future perspectives of deeper layer dissection.

Long-term efficacy of antireflux mucosectomy in patients with refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease.

OBJECTIVES: Minimally invasive treatments have been applied for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), but the long-term results are controversial. Antireflux mucosectomy (ARMS) is a simple endoscopic procedure that does not require the insertion of a foreign body. We provide the first report on the long-term results of ARMS. METHODS: This was a single-center, single-arm trial, prospective study of 88 patients with proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-refractory GERD who underwent ARMS between June 2012 and June 2017. Primary outcomes were the rates of long-term effectiveness and PPI discontinuation. Secondary outcomes were to compare patients' preoperative background characteristics, questionnaire, and multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH monitoring data to examine the predictive factors of ARMS. The clinical course was reviewed, including the need for additional treatment after ARMS. RESULTS: Antireflux mucosectomy produced a long-term effect in 68.3% of the patients, and PPI could be discontinued in 42% of patients. There were significant differences in age, intensity of preoperative symptoms, and acid-related indicators. Forty-five percent (27/60) had reflux hypersensitivity and ARMS provided long-term effectiveness in 81% of these patients. There was no significant difference in subjective symptom assessment between those with short-term and long-term efficacy. Additional treatment was administered in 23% (14/60) and scheduled at 1-2 years' follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Antireflux mucosectomy showed long-term efficacy, and many of the cases with short-term effects were able to maintain them. In addition, ARMS is also effective in patients with reflux hypersensitivity, and provides a treatment option that bridges the gap between surgical and medical treatment.

Endoscopic pressure study integrated system using an ultrathin gastroscope for the functional assessment of the lower esophageal sphincter.

OBJECTIVES: The endoscopic pressure study integrated system (EPSIS) represents an innovative approach for evaluating lower esophageal sphincter function by monitoring intragastric pressure using diagnostic gastroscopes. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and validity of employing ultrathin gastroscopes for EPSIS. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on a database of consecutive patients who underwent EPSIS using both ultrathin and regular gastroscopes between September 2021 and October 2023. The study compared EPSIS parameters between the two gastroscope types to evaluate the correlation of key metrics. RESULTS: Thirty patients underwent EPSIS with both ultrathin and regular gastroscopes. Significant positive correlations were observed in the pressure waveform: maximum intragastric pressure (mmHg) (ρ = 0.82, P < 0.001) and intragastric pressure gradient (mmHg/s) (ρ = 0.80, P < 0.001) when comparing the two gastroscopes. Maximum intragastric pressure (15.5 [5.3-20.3] vs. 18.5 [3.4-21.6], P < 0.001) and pressure gradient (0.16 [0.013-0.41] vs. 0.24 [0.0039-1.13], P < 0.001), (median [range]) were significantly lower with ultrathin gastroscopes. CONCLUSIONS: This study establishes that EPSIS parameters obtained with an ultrathin gastroscope exhibit a significant correlation with those obtained using a regular gastroscope, with each EPSIS parameter consistently lower. These findings support the viability of EPSIS for ultrathin gastroscopy and highlight its potential as a diagnostic tool for assessing lower esophageal sphincter function.

Phase concept: Novel dynamic endoscopic assessment of intramural antireflux mechanisms (with video).

OBJECTIVES: The gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) consists of various anatomical components that together form a barrier to prevent reflux of gastric content. This study introduces a novel phase concept to dynamically evaluate the antireflux barrier (ARB) during endoscopy and analyzes its functionality. METHODS: We reviewed previously the recorded endoscopic videos of subjects who underwent the endoscopic pressure study integrated system (EPSIS) from February to April 2024 for indications other than gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms. This device was used as an auxiliary tool to measure intragastric pressure (IGP) during endoscopy with a retroflex view. The ARB dynamic was divided into three phases: Phase I (gastric phase), Phase II (lower esophageal sphincter phase), and Phase III (esophageal clearance phase). We evaluated the morphological changes in the ARB during insufflation using EPSIS. RESULTS: The median age of the 30 subjects was 58 years (interquartile range [IQR] 46.5-68.8), including 20 men and 10 women. Endoscopic findings and IGPs were recorded during the three phases. In Phase I, at low IGP (median 6.75 mmHg), the gastroesophageal flap valve and longitudinal folds were observed in 80% of cases. In Phase II, at moderate IGP (median 11.8 mmHg), the scope holding sign was observed in 86.7%. In Phase III, at high IGP (median 19 mmHg) inducing belching, peristalsis was observed in 80% of cases with median recovery time of 5 s. CONCLUSION: The phase concept provides a valuable framework for understanding the antireflux mechanism. Further research is needed to validate these findings in GEJ disorders and explore correlations with other modalities.

Impact of peroral endoscopic myotomy on the endoscopic pressure study integrated system.

OBJECTIVES: The endoscopic pressure study integrated system (EPSIS) is an endoscopic diagnostic system utilized for evaluation of lower esophageal sphincter function. Although previous studies have determined that EPSIS was effective as a tool for the diagnosis of achalasia, it remains uncertain if EPSIS can detect significant changes before and after peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM), which is the premier treatment for achalasia. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of EPSIS as an objective diagnostic tool for assessing the clinical effect of POEM. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent POEM from January 2022 to December 2023. The patients underwent EPSIS preoperatively and 2 months postoperatively. Intragastric pressure (IGP) parameters, including the maximum IGP, IGP difference, and waveform gradient were compared pre- and post-POEM. These parameters also were compared between two groups: the postoperative gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) group and the non-GERD group. RESULTS: A total of 50 patients were analyzed. The mean maximum IGP was significantly lower postoperatively than preoperatively (15.0 mmHg vs. 19.8 mmHg, P < 0.001). The mean IGP difference and waveform gradient were also significantly lower postoperatively than preoperatively (8.0 mmHg vs. 12.2 mmHg, P < 0.001; and 0.26 mmHg/s vs. 0.43 mmHg/s, P < 0.001, respectively). The mean postoperative waveform gradient was significantly lower in the GERD group (17 patients, 34%) than in the non-GERD group (33 patients, 66%) (0.207 mmHg vs. 0.291 mmHg, P = 0.034). CONCLUSION: The results supported the use of EPSIS as an effective diagnostic tool for assessing the effect of POEM.

Hood attached vs conventional triangular tip-jet knife in peroral endoscopic myotomy: a propensity score matching cohort study.

BACKGROUND & AIM: Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a safe and effective endoscopic treatment for achalasia and other esophageal motility disorders, and TTJ (Triangle Tip Knife J; Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) is currently widely used in POEM. Recently, we reported a novel modification of TTJ, which was adjusted to knife length 2 mm by attaching a disposable clip (QuickClip Pro; Olympus) sheath to the tip as a hood attachment. In this study, we compared the safety and effectiveness of TTJ and TTJ with hood attachment (TTJ-H) in POEM. METHODS: In this 1:1 propensity score matched retrospective cohort study, we compared the procedure time, myotomy efficiency, number of coagulation forceps usage, adverse events, length of hospital stay after POEM, procedural success and clinical success between TTJ and TTJ-H groups. RESULTS: We examined 682 consecutive patients who underwent POEM between January 2021 and June 2023. We excluded 134 patients who had already undergone POEM or laparoscopic Heller myotomy as prior myotomy. Finally, we identified 98 propensity score-matched pairs (n = 196). The mean procedure time was shortened from 93.5 to 80.2 min (14% reduction, P = 0.012) when comparing TTJ-H group to TTJ group. The mean myotomy efficiency was improved from 2.76 to 2.32 min/cm (16% improvement, P = <0.001), and usage of coagulation forceps for hemostasis was decreased from 3.87 to 0.55 (86% reduction, P = <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that use of TTJ-H could reduce total procedure time, improve myotomy efficiency, and reduce costs compared to TTJ.

Impact of peroral endoscopic myotomy on high-resolution manometry findings and their association with the procedure's outcomes.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is conducted for patients with esophageal motility disorders based on high-resolution manometry (HRM) findings. However, the impact of POEM on HRM findings and the associations between post-POEM HRM and outcomes have not been clarified. METHODS: In a multicenter, observational, cohort study, patients with achalasia treated by POEM received follow-up HRM. Associations between patient characteristics, POEM procedures, and post-POEM HRM findings, including integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) and distal contractile integral (DCI), were investigated. Furthermore, POEM procedure outcomes were compared with post-POEM HRM findings. RESULTS: Of 2171 patients, 151 (7.0%) showed residual high post-POEM IRP (≥26 mm Hg; Starlet [Starmedical Ltd, Tokyo, Japan]). In a multivariate analysis, high pre-POEM IRPs (odds ratio [OR], 24.3) and gastric myotomy >2 cm (OR, .22) were found to be positive and negative predictive factors of high post-POEM IRPs, respectively. Peristalsis recovery (DCI ≥500 mm Hg/cm/s, at least 1 swallow; Starlet) was visible in 121 of 618 patients (19.6%) who had type II to III achalasia. High pre-POEM IRP (OR, 2.65) and DCI ≥500 (OR, 2.98) predicted peristalsis recovery, whereas esophageal dilation (OR, .42) predicted a risk of no recovery. Extended myotomy did not reveal a significant impact on peristalsis recovery. High or low post-POEM IRP and DCI did not increase the incidence of clinical failure, reflux esophagitis, or symptomatic GERD. CONCLUSIONS: Extended gastric myotomy decreased IRP values, whereas peristalsis recovery depended on the characteristics of achalasia. A residual high post-POEM IRP does not necessarily mean clinical failure. Routine HRM follow-up is not recommended after POEM.

Risk scoring system for the preprocedural prediction of the clinical failure of peroral endoscopic myotomy: a multicenter case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is effective for the management of achalasia and its variants; however, it can be ineffective in some patients. We aimed to develop and validate a risk scoring system to predict the clinical failure of POEM preoperatively. METHODS: Consecutive patients who underwent POEM in 14 high volume centers between 2010 and 2020 were enrolled in this study. Clinical failure was defined as an Eckardt score of ≥ 4 or retreatment. A risk scoring system to predict the short-term clinical failure of POEM was developed using multivariable logistic regression and internally validated using bootstrapping and decision curve analysis. RESULTS: Of the 2740 study patients, 112 (4.1 %) experienced clinical failure 6 months after POEM. Risk scores were assigned for three preoperative factors as follows: preoperative Eckardt score (1 point), manometric diagnosis (-4 points for type II achalasia), and a history of prior treatments (1 point for pneumatic dilation or 12 points for surgical/endoscopic myotomy). The discriminative capacity (concordance statistics 0.68, 95 %CI 0.62-0.72) and calibration (slope 1.15, 95 %CI 0.87-1.40) were shown. Decision curve analysis demonstrated its clinical usefulness. Patients were categorized into low (0-8 points; estimated risk of clinical failure < 5 %) and high risk (9-22 points; ≥ 5 %) groups. The proportions of clinical failure for the categories were stratified according to the mid-term outcomes (log-rank test, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This risk scoring system can predict the clinical failure of POEM preoperatively and provide useful information when making treatment decisions.

Clinical characteristics of absent contractility and ineffective esophageal motility: a multicenter study in Japan.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Absent contractility (AC) and ineffective esophageal motility (IEM) are esophageal hypomotility disorders diagnosed using high-resolution manometry (HRM). Patient characteristics and disease course of these conditions and differential diagnosis between AC and achalasia are yet to be elucidated. METHODS: A multicenter study involving 10 high-volume hospitals was conducted. Starlet HRM findings were compared between AC and achalasia. Patient characteristics including underlying disorders and disease courses were analyzed in AC and IEM. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients with AC and 92 with IEM were diagnosed, while achalasia was diagnosed in 1784 patients using the Chicago classification v3.0 (CCv3.0). The cut-off integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) value at 15.7 mmHg showed maximum sensitivity (0.80) and specificity (0.87) for differential diagnosis of AC from type I achalasia. While most ACs were based on systemic disorders such as scleroderma (34%) and neuromuscular diseases (8%), 23% were sporadic cases. The symptom severity of AC was not higher than that of IEM. Regarding the diagnosis of IEM, the more stringent CCv4.0 excluded 14.1% of IEM patients than the CCv3.0, although patient characteristics did not change. In patients with the hypomotile esophagus, concomitance of reflux esophagitis was associated with low distal contractile integral and IRP values. AC and IEM transferred between each other, paralleling with the underlying disease course, although no transition to achalasia was observed. CONCLUSION: A successful determination of the optimal cut-off IRP value was achieved using the starlet HRM system to differentiate AC and achalasia. Follow-up HRM is also useful for differentiating AC from achalasia. Symptom severity may depend on underlying diseases instead of hypomotility severity.

Evolving field of third-space endoscopy: Derivatives of peroral endoscopic myotomy.

Third-space endoscopy, also known as submucosal endoscopy, allows for a wide range of therapeutic interventions within the submucosal layer and even into the muscular or subserosal layers of the gastrointestinal lumen. The technical development of peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for achalasia has revolutionized the field of therapeutic endoscopy and the method has been continuously refined and modified. Although POEM has been applied to treat primary achalasia, it shows a favorable clinical response in other esophageal motility disorders and as a salvage treatment after previously failed intervention. Gastroesophageal reflux after POEM has drawn considerable attention and there have been major advancements in its prevention and management. POEM has led to advantageous derivatives such as peroral endoscopic tumor resection or submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection for resection of subepithelial lesions, Zenker POEM for hypopharyngeal diverticula, diverticular POEM for epiphrenic esophageal diverticula, and gastric POEM for refractory gastroparesis. These techniques have a similar concept, which constitutes submucosal tunneling with a mucosal flap valve and secure mucosal incision closure. The submucosal tunneling technique is widely accepted and continues to evolve. This study aimed to review in detail the indications, outcomes, and technical variations in POEM and explore several emerging submucosal tunneling procedures. This review will benefit future studies by providing a summary of recent developments in this field.

Advanced diagnostic endoscopy in the upper gastrointestinal tract: Review of the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society core sessions.

We held four upper gastrointestinal tract advanced diagnostic endoscopy sessions from the 89th to the 92nd Congress of the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society. The most common region addressed was the stomach in 25 presentations, followed by the esophagus in 23, duodenum in five, and other in one. Looking at techniques discussed, the most common image enhancement method discussed was narrowband imaging in 29 presentations, blue laser imaging, and linked color imaging (LCI) in 10 each, dual red imaging in three, and autofluorescence imaging in one. Furthermore, there were presentations of new techniques such as M-Chromo-LCI and acetic acid-indigo carmine mixture LCI. There were also six presentations regarding probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy, and one of endocytoscopy techniques. We also saw presentations of images of gastric subepithelial tumors within the submucosa, 3D endoscopy, the development of computer-aided detection systems for early cancers, and fluorescent imaging.

Feasibility and safety of per-oral endoscopic septotomy for Killian-Jamieson diverticulum: Case series with video.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Killian-Jamieson diverticulum (KJD) is a relatively uncommon variant of pharyngoesophageal diverticula, distinct from the more prevalent Zenker diverticulum. However, literature on endoscopic management of KJD remains limited. This study aimed to elucidate the efficacy and safety of peroral endoscopic septotomy (POES) as a treatment approach for symptomatic KJD. METHODS: In this retrospective observational study, we investigated the outcomes of nine consecutive patients who underwent POES for KJD between January 2019 and May 2023. Follow-up data of at least 2 months post-treatment were analyzed. The primary outcome measure was the technical success rate of POES. Secondary outcomes encompassed the clinical success rate, defined as symptomatic improvement 2 months after POES, and the incidence of adverse events. RESULTS: All patients presented with dysphagia, with a median symptom duration of 6 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 3-12 months). The median diverticulum size was 32 mm (IQR: 24-42 mm). The median duration of the operation time was 66 min (IQR: 60-109). A 100% technical success rate was achieved, with complete closure of the defect in all cases. There were no adverse events related to this treatment. The median hospitalization duration was 5 days (IQR: 4-6), and the clinical success rate was 88.9%. Follow-up barium esophagograms exhibited significant improvement in the flow of the barium for all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the relatively limited case volume, our findings underscore that POES is a safe and efficacious approach for managing symptomatic KJD.

Endoscopic pressure study integrated system for the diagnosis of achalasia.

OBJECTIVES: The endoscopic pressure study integrated system (EPSIS) is a novel diagnostic tool used to evaluate lower esophageal sphincter (LES) function. EPSIS allows the measurement of intragastric pressure (IGP) during gastric insufflation through esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and records its pressure waveform. This study aimed to assess the usefulness and applicability of EPSIS as an adjunct diagnostic modality for achalasia. METHODS: This case-control study was conducted using a database of patients who underwent EGD, barium swallow (BS), high-resolution manometry (HRM), and EPSIS between January 2022 and December 2022. The achalasia (experimental) group (n = 35) consisted of patients with a definitive diagnosis of achalasia. The control group (n = 34) consisted of patients with no abnormalities in EGD, BS, or HRM and no abnormal acid reflux confirmed with 24-h pH-impedance monitoring. EPSIS findings were compared between the two groups and characterized by the waveform pattern (uphill or flat), maximum IGP (IGP-Max), pressure difference, and the gradient of the waveform. RESULTS: All patients in the achalasia group showed an uphill pattern, in contrast to 21 patients (61.8%) in the control group. IGP-Max demonstrated the best diagnostic accuracy for achalasia, with a cut-off value of 15.8 mmHg (100% sensitivity, 58.8% specificity, and area under the curve [AUC] 0.78). The pressure gradient also demonstrated good diagnostic accuracy, with a cut-off value of 0.40 mmHg/s (80% sensitivity, 61.8% specificity, and AUC 0.76). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that EPSIS can be applied as a diagnostic modality in patients with achalasia.

Pilot study on anti-reflux mucoplasty: Advancing endoscopic anti-reflux therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease.

OBJECTIVES: Anti-reflux mucosectomy (ARMS) and anti-reflux mucosal ablation (ARMA) were developed as interventions for proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-refractory/-dependent gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Although ARMS and ARMA are established treatments for PPI-refractory GERD, reliance on natural healing for ulcer scar formation introduces uncertainty and bleeding risk. To address these issues, we introduced a novel approach called anti-reflux mucoplasty (ARM-P), which involves immediate closure of mucosal defects following mucosectomy. This pilot study aims to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of ARM-P. METHODS: A retrospective single-center study was conducted using prospectively collected data from October 2022 to July 2023. Patients with PPI-refractory/-dependent GERD who underwent ARM-P were included. The study evaluated technical success of ARM-P, before and after ARM-P GERD-Health Related Quality of Life Questionnaire, GerdQ, and Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of GERD scores, along with PPI discontinuation and endoscopic esophagogastric junction morphology. RESULTS: A total of 20 patients with a median age of 61.5 years underwent the ARM-P procedure. The procedure achieved 100% technical success without adverse events. After ARM-P, 55.0% discontinued PPI usage and 15.0% reduced PPI dose by half. Median GERD-Health Related Quality of Life Questionnaire score improved from 21 to 6 (P = 0.0026), median GerdQ score improved from 9 to 7 (P = 0.0022), and median Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of GERD score decreased from 16 to 7 (P = 0.0003). Median Hill's Classification significantly improved from grade III to grade I (P = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This study presents the first pilot report of ARM-P, demonstrating its procedural safety, technical feasibility, and short-term efficacy.

Learning curve for peroral endoscopic myotomy in therapeutic endoscopy experts and nonexperts: Large single-center experience.

OBJECTIVES: Reports on learning curve for peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) in therapeutic endoscopy nonexperts are limited. We aimed to assess the number of cases required to achieve POEM proficiency for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) experts and nonexperts. METHODS: This is a retrospective study at the largest POEM referral center in Japan. POEM between April 2014 and December 2020 were included. Nonexperts and ESD experts were divided by training phases: A, 1-20; B, 21-40; C, 41-60; D, 61-80; and E, 81-100 cases. Primary outcome was operation time, and the phase to reach target time (83 min) was investigated. Secondary outcomes were clinical success rate, adverse events, and post-POEM gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). RESULTS: Five hundred and sixty-six cases were performed by 14 nonexperts, and 555 cases by 15 ESD experts. As the primary outcome, operation time in nonexperts was: A, 95 (79-115.8); B, 86.5 (71-105); C, 80 (70-100); D, 73 (64.5-100.5); and E, 73.5 (57.8-88.8) min, while in ESD experts: A, 90 (74-128); B, 77 (70-92); and C, 77 (70-93.5) min (median [interquartile range]). Operation time decreased significantly as experience increased in both groups (P < 0.001), and nonexperts required 41-60 cases to achieve proficiency, while experts required 21-40 cases. As secondary outcomes, in nonexperts, clinical success was 96.9-100%, adverse events were 5.0-9.2%, symptomatic GERD was 11.8-26.5%, and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) intake was 11.5-18.7% in each phase. While in experts, clinical success was 96.2-100%, adverse events were 3.0-5.8%, symptomatic GERD was 14.6-22.0%, and PPI intake was 12.6-17.9%. There were no significant differences among training phases. CONCLUSIONS: Non-ESD experts require more cases to achieve proficiency in POEM. These results are useful for establishing POEM training programs and institutional implementation of the procedure.

Achalasia phenotypes and prediction of peroral endoscopic myotomy outcomes using machine learning.

OBJECTIVES: High-resolution manometry (HRM) and esophagography are used for achalasia diagnosis; however, achalasia phenotypes combining esophageal motility and morphology are unknown. Moreover, predicting treatment outcomes of peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) in treatment-naïve patients remains an unmet need. METHODS: In this multicenter cohort study, we included 1824 treatment-naïve patients diagnosed with achalasia. In total, 1778 patients underwent POEM. Clustering by machine learning was conducted to identify achalasia phenotypes using patients' demographic data, including age, sex, disease duration, body mass index, and HRM/esophagography findings. Machine learning models were developed to predict persistent symptoms (Eckardt score ≥3) and reflux esophagitis (RE) (Los Angeles grades A-D) after POEM. RESULTS: Machine learning identified three achalasia phenotypes: phenotype 1, type I achalasia with a dilated esophagus (n = 676; 37.0%); phenotype 2, type II achalasia with a dilated esophagus (n = 203; 11.1%); and phenotype 3, late-onset type I-III achalasia with a nondilated esophagus (n = 619, 33.9%). Types I and II achalasia in phenotypes 1 and 2 exhibited different clinical characteristics from those in phenotype 3, implying different pathophysiologies within the same HRM diagnosis. A predictive model for persistent symptoms exhibited an area under the curve of 0.70. Pre-POEM Eckardt score ≥6 was the greatest contributing factor for persistent symptoms. The area under the curve for post-POEM RE was 0.61. CONCLUSION: Achalasia phenotypes combining esophageal motility and morphology indicated multiple disease pathophysiologies. Machine learning helped develop an optimal risk stratification model for persistent symptoms with novel insights into treatment resistance factors.