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SALT LAKE CITY — An endoscopic procedure is now replacing traditional surgery in treating a rare swallowing disorder — achalasia — which affects about 1 in every 10,000 people.
Intermountain Health officials said their surgeons are the first in Utah to offer the procedure.
The procedure is called peroral endoscopic myotomy, or POEM. It uses endoscopic technology — a flexible tube with a camera that can be passed through the mouth — to replicate the traditional open surgery without an incision by tunneling into the lining of esophagus muscles and then cutting away and loosening the tight muscles that are causing the problem.
No incision for this new treatment means minimal or no hospital stay after the procedure and an easier recovery.
Esophageal achalasia occurs when a ring of muscle between the esophagus and stomach doesn't relax and other muscles don't help move swallowed food down so it can reach the stomach. It leads to coughing, choking, a sore throat and weight loss or nutrient deficiencies.
Although achalasia has previously been treated with things like medication, pneumatic dilation and Botox injections, a press release from Intermountain Health said open surgery was the most effective treatment.
The surgery involved cutting muscles in the lower esophagus to help open it and allow food and drink through. Doctors would reach the esophagus through a large chest incision, called a thoracotomy, or a laparoscopic incision in the abdomen.
Dr. David Griffin, a thoracic surgeon with Intermountain Health, said the health care company is excited to offer the new procedure in place of open surgery. He said it is an important advancement.
"As far as I am aware, we're the only center performing the POEM procedure between Denver and the West Coast, so it really is a valuable treatment option that will benefit patients throughout the Intermountain West," he said.
Dr. Nathan Richards, a surgeon at Intermountain LDS Hospital, said there are only a handful of places in the U.S. where this surgery is offered. He and Griffin have performed it a handful of times. The procedure was first done in Japan and was brought to the U.S. about two years ago.
