Comparison of costs and short-term clinical outcomes of per-oral endoscopic myotomy and laparoscopic Heller myotomy

Andrea Wirsching, Piers R. Boshier, Fredrik Klevebro, Stephen J. Kaplan, Maarten FJ Seesing, Rasheed El-Moslimany, Andrew Ross, Donald E. Low*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Per-Oral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) has seen increasing application and comparisons to laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM). The aim of the present study was to compare perioperative and short-term outcomes, and costs between the two procedures at a single institution.

METHODS: Fifty-one consecutive patients documented in a prospective IRB approved database from January 2014 to December 2017 were included. Perioperative data, pre-operative and 3-month postoperative Eckardt Scores, and cost data were compared.

RESULTS: Median hospital stay was comparable between POEM and LHM (1 day each). Complications were minor (Clavien-Dindo 1, 2) and rare in both groups. Median Eckardt scores improved significantly after POEM (5 to 0) and LHM (5 to 0). Normalized median costs were comparable: 14 201 USD (POEM) vs. 13 328 USD (LHM) p = 0.45.

CONCLUSIONS: POEM demonstrates comparable clinical outcomes and costs to LHM. Long-term issues related to GERD require ongoing assessment in POEM patients.

SUMMARY: In patients with achalasia, extended myotomy of the lower esophageal sphincter offers excellent palliation of symptoms. In the last decades, laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) has been the gold standard. Over the past decade, per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has seen wide application in specialized centers worldwide. In our patient cohort, we demonstrate, that POEM can be introduced with similar outcomes and costs compared to LHM.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)706-711
Number of pages6
JournalAmerican Journal of Surgery
Volume218
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2019
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Achalasia
  • Costs
  • Laparoscopic Heller myotomy
  • Manometry
  • Per-oral endoscopic myotomy
  • POEM

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