Modified POEM With Radial Extension for Achalasia: Short-Term Outcomes of a Prospective Single-Center Study

BACKGROUND: Achalasia is a rare esophageal motility disorder that causes dysphagia owing to impaired lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation. This study aimed to evaluate a modified dissection and radial myotomy technique during peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) and to compare its outcomes with those of the standard approach. METHODS: This prospective, single-center study was conducted between February 2022 and December 2022. Eighty total with 80 achalasia patients undergoing POEM were divided into 2 groups: Group A (n=40), treated with the novel technique, and Group B (n=40), treated with the standard approach. Demographics, Eckardt score (ES), submucosal tunnel (ST), myotomy length, intervention duration, and adverse events were recorded. The follow-up period ranged from 3 to 20 months. RESULTS: Patients who underwent the novel radial myotomy technique (Group A) had significantly longer myotomy lengths (11.8±2.4 vs. 8.1±2.0 cm, P