Swallowing Made Easy: The Revolutionary POEM Procedure in Nagpur
For individuals in Nagpur experiencing persistent and often agonizing difficulty in swallowing, a condition often linked to esophageal motility disorders like achalasia, a groundbreaking endoscopic procedure known as Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) is offering a new lease on life. This innovative, minimally invasive technique is transforming the treatment landscape for these challenging conditions, providing significant relief without external incisions.
Achalasia, a primary condition treated by POEM, is characterized by the failure of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to relax and allow food to pass into the stomach, along with the absence of normal muscular contractions in the esophagus. This leads to symptoms such as dysphagia (difficulty swallowing both solids and liquids), regurgitation of undigested food, chest pain, and unintentional weight loss. Unlike typical acidity or GERD, where stomach contents reflux upwards, achalasia represents a blockage in the downward passage of food. When conservative measures fail, an experienced bariatric surgeon in Nagpur with expertise in advanced endoscopic procedures may recommend POEM.
What is POEM?
POEM is an advanced endoscopic procedure that represents a significant leap in the treatment of esophageal motility disorders. It is distinct from traditional bariatric surgery or weight loss surgery as its primary aim is to restore normal swallowing function, rather than inducing weight loss. However, for patients who have lost weight due to difficulty eating, POEM can help them regain a healthy weight.
The procedure is performed entirely through the mouth, utilizing a flexible endoscope equipped with a camera and specialized instruments. Under general anesthesia, the surgeon navigates the endoscope down the esophagus. The key steps of a POEM procedure include:
- Mucosal Incision: A small incision is made in the inner lining (mucosa) of the esophagus, typically a few centimeters above the problematic LES.
- Submucosal Tunneling: The endoscope is then carefully advanced into the submucosal layer, creating a tunnel that extends down towards and slightly beyond the LES into the stomach. This creates a working space between the inner and outer layers of the esophageal wall.
- Myotomy (Muscle Cut): Once the tunnel is established, specialized endoscopic instruments are used to precisely cut the circular muscle fibers of the LES and a portion of the esophageal and sometimes gastric muscle, effectively “loosening” the tight sphincter. This step is similar in principle to a Heller’s myotomy but is performed entirely endoscopically.
- Mucosal Closure: After the myotomy, the initial mucosal incision is closed with endoscopic clips, leaving no external scars.
How Does POEM Provide Relief?
By precisely cutting the tight muscle fibers of the LES and surrounding esophageal muscle, POEM directly addresses the anatomical and functional obstruction that causes achalasia and other spastic esophageal disorders. This allows food and liquids to pass freely from the esophagus into the stomach, alleviating the debilitating symptoms of difficulty swallowing, regurgitation, and chest pain.
While not a metabolic surgery for diabetes in itself, improving a patient’s ability to eat and absorb nutrients can indirectly contribute to better overall metabolic health. For patients whose quality of life has been severely impacted by swallowing issues, POEM offers a truly life-changing intervention.
Advantages of POEM
POEM offers several compelling benefits that make it an attractive option:
- Minimally Invasive: Being performed entirely through the mouth, POEM avoids external incisions, leading to less pain, reduced risk of infection, and no visible scars.
- Rapid Recovery: Patients typically experience a shorter hospital stay (often just overnight) and a quicker return to normal activities and diet compared to traditional surgical approaches.
- High Success Rate: POEM has demonstrated excellent clinical success rates in relieving symptoms of achalasia and other esophageal motility disorders.
- Effective for Various Conditions: While primarily used for achalasia, POEM can also be effective for other spastic esophageal disorders like diffuse esophageal spasm or jackhammer esophagus.
- Improved Quality of Life: Patients experience a dramatic improvement in their ability to eat, drink, and enjoy meals, significantly enhancing their overall well-being.
Choosing a Specialist for POEM in Nagpur
Given the technical complexity and specialized nature of POEM, it is crucial to seek a highly skilled and top bariatric surgeon in Nagpur or a gastroenterologist with advanced training in therapeutic endoscopy and esophageal motility disorders. The best bariatric surgeon in Nagpur for POEM will have extensive experience in performing this procedure, a deep understanding of esophageal physiology, and the necessary equipment and team to ensure optimal outcomes. They will also meticulously evaluate your condition, including detailed esophageal manometry, to confirm suitability for POEM and provide comprehensive post-procedure care.
Dr. Sushil Lohiya: Advancing Endoscopic Therapies in Nagpur
In the realm of advanced gastrointestinal and metabolic surgery in Nagpur, Dr. Sushil Lohiya is a distinguished name. With his M.B.B.S. and M.S. in General Surgery from Sion, Mumbai, complemented by a dedicated Fellowship in Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery, Dr. Lohiya possesses a unique blend of surgical acumen and expertise in cutting-edge endoscopic interventions. His profound knowledge of both bariatric surgery and advanced gastrointestinal procedures, including innovative techniques like POEM, positions him as a leading choice for patients in Nagpur seeking sophisticated and minimally invasive solutions for complex swallowing disorders and other digestive challenges.
POEM represents a modern marvel in the treatment of esophageal motility disorders, offering a highly effective, incision-less path to renewed comfort and improved quality of life for individuals in Nagpur.
