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BACKGROUND : Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and reflux esophagitis remain problems after peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM). This study aimed to elucidate the risk factors and long-term course of reflux esophagitis and symptomatic GERD after POEM. METHODS : This multicenter cohort study involved 14 high volume centers. Overall, 2905 patients with achalasia-related esophageal motility disorders treated with POEM were analyzed for reflux esophagitis, severe reflux esophagitis (Los Angeles classification C or D), and symptomatic GERD. RESULTS : Reflux esophagitis was diagnosed in 1886 patients (64.9 %). Age ≥ 65 years (risk ratio [RR] 0.85), male sex (RR 1.11), posterior myotomy (RR 1.12), esophageal myotomy > 10 cm (RR 1.12), and gastric myotomy > 2 cm (RR 1.17) were independently associated with reflux esophagitis. Severe reflux esophagitis was diagnosed in 219 patients (7.5 %). Age ≥ 65 years (RR 1.72), previous treatments (RR 2.21), Eckardt score ≥ 7 (RR 0.68), sigmoid-type achalasia (RR 1.40), and esophageal myotomy > 10 cm (RR 1.59) were factors associated with severe reflux esophagitis. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) were more effective for reflux esophagitis at 5-year follow-up ( P  = 0.03) than after 1 year ( P  = 0.08). Symptomatic GERD was present in 458 patients (15.9 %). Symptom duration ≥ 10 years (RR 1.28), achalasia diagnosis (RR 0.68), integrated relaxation pressure ≥ 26 (RR 0.60), and posterior myotomy (RR 0.80) were associated with symptomatic GERD. The incidence of symptomatic GERD was lower at 5-year follow-up compared with that after 1 year ( P  = 0.04), particularly in PPI users ( P  < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS : The incidence of severe reflux esophagitis was low after POEM, but excessive myotomy for older patients with previous treatments should be avoided. Early phase symptomatic GERD is non-acid reflux dependent and the natural course is favorable, basically supporting conservative treatment., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Background: The endoscopic pressure study integrated system (EPSIS) is a prototypic system for monitoring intragastric pressure (IGP) fluctuations that result from opening of the cardia during gastric distension. The performance of EPSIS for the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was evaluated., Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of data prospectively collected over a 2-year period from 59 patients who underwent gastroscopy, EPSIS, and 24-hour pH monitoring. Using a dedicated electronic device and a through-the-scope catheter, maximum IGP (IGP max ) and IGP waveform pattern (uphill/flat) were recorded., Results: The optimal IGP max cutoff was 18.7 mmHg. IGP max  < 18.7 mmHg (sensitivity 74.2 %, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 56.8 - 86.3; specificity 57.1 %, 95 %CI 39.1 - 73.5) and flat pattern (sensitivity 71.0 %, 95 %CI 53.4 - 83.9; specificity 82.1 %, 95 %CI 64.4 - 92.1) were associated with GERD. "Double" EPSIS positivity (IGP max  < 18.7 mmHg and flat pattern) provided maximum specificity (85.7 %, 95 %CI 68.5 - 94.3), whereas "any" EPSIS positivity (IGP max  < 18.7 mmHg or flat pattern) provided maximum sensitivity (80.6 %, 95 %CI 63.7 - 90.8). Maximum specificity and sensitivity for nonerosive reflux disease (NERD) was > 70 %. In multivariate analysis, "double" EPSIS positivity was the strongest predictor of GERD (odds ratio [OR] 16.05, 95 %CI 3.23 - 79.7) and NERD (OR 14.7, 95 %CI 2.37 - 90.8)., Conclusion: EPSIS emerges as a reliable adjunct to routine gastroscopy for GERD diagnosis, and might prove helpful for the stratification and management of patients with reflux disorders., Competing Interests: Dr. Inoue is an advisor to Olympus Corporation and Top Corporation. He has also received educational grants from Takeda Pharmaceutical Company and Olympus Corporation. Dr. Manolakis is a Hellenic Society of Gastroenterology grant holder., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Background: Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has become the minimally invasive endoscopic treatment for achalasia; however, gastroesophageal reflux (GER) post-POEM has been reported. A pilot study was conducted in which an endoscopic fundoplication was added to the standard POEM (POEM + F) procedure to overcome this issue. We report the technical details of POEM + F and short-term safety results.Methods: POEM + F was performed in 21 patients. After completing myotomy, the endoscope was advanced from the submucosal tunnel into the peritoneal cavity. A partial mechanical barrier was created by retracting the anterior gastric wall at the esophagogastric junction with the use of endoclips and an endoloop.Results: POEM + F was technically feasible in all cases and created a visually recognizable fundoplication. The clinical course after POEM + F was uneventful. No immediate or delayed complications occurred.Conclusion: POEM + F may help mitigate the post-POEM incidence of GER and serve as a minimally invasive endoscopic alternative to a laparoscopic Heller-Dor procedure. This is the largest case series of peroral natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery without laparoscopic assistance in the human foregut. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]