Gastric peroral myotomy (G-POEM) in patients with delayed emptying function of the stomach

Abstract

Introduction. Disorders in the gastric evacuation function are met in patients with gastroesophageal reflux. In most cases, simultaneous laparoscopic pyloroplasty can solve the problem. As an alternative to surgical pyloroplasty to treat gastroparesis, a new technique has been proposed – peroral submucosal pyloromyotomy or gastric peroral endoscopic myotomy (G-POEM). Recently, this endoscopic surgery has been implemented in adults and in newborns with congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis to treat gastric paresis. In the present work, the authors describe this technique and short-term results after G-POEM in a child who had previously been operated on for gastroesophageal reflux.Material and methods. Peroral submucosal pyloromyotomy was performed in a girl of 5 y.o. with impaired motor-evacuation function of the stomach after surgical treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease at the age of two . For 3 years, the child had therapy which included antiemetics and H2-receptor blockers. However, clinical symptoms constantly recurred, and it was decided to make a thorough examination of the patient. At the contrast examination of upper gastrointestinal tract, stomach enlargement and slow transit of the contrast preparation into the duodenum were seen. Fibrogastroduodenoscopy confirmed the normal function of the fundoplication cuff and found a cause of impaired gastric emptying. A contracted gastric outlet as a spasmodic pylorus was found to be an obstacle for normal stomach evacuation function. A narrow hole in the pylorus was found. A 5.4 mm gastroscope could pass through it. The patient had a complete peroral endoscopic submucosal pyloromyotomy. The technique of this surgery consisted in creating a submucosal tunnel at 4 cm before the pylorus and in dissecting the hypertrophied muscle layer by Ramstedt incision using an electrocoagulation knife. After the end of surgery, the incision on the mucous layer was closed with special clamps.Results. Surgical time lasted for 45 minutes. There were no intraoperative complications: bleedings and mucosal perforation . The patient began to eat in 6 hours after the surgery. The transition to full enteral feeding lasted for 24 hours. The child was discharged from the hospital next day in good condition. At the follow-up examination 6 months after surgery, the girl had weight and height typical for her age. There were no signs of dysphagia, abdominal distension, nausea and vomiting any more . There were no post-operative scarring on the child’s abdominal wall.Conclusion. Peroral submucosal pyloromyotomy is technically implementable, safe and effective for treating disorders of stomach evacuation function in children. Further research is needed to find the place of this technique in the treatment of gastric outlet obstruction.