Transoral incisionless fundoplication with or without hiatal hernia repair for gastroesophageal reflux disease after peroral endoscopic myotomy

• Published in: Endoscopy International Open Vol. 12; no. 1; pp. E43 - E49
• Main Authors: DeWitt, John M, Al-Haddad, Mohammad, Stainko, Sarah, Perkins, Anthony, Fatima, Hala, Ceppa, DuyKhanh P, Birdas, Thomas J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Georg Thieme Verlag KG 01.01.2024
• Subjects: Motility / achalasia; Reflux disease; Reflux disease; POEM; Motility / achalasia
• ISSN: 2364-3722; 2196-9736
• DOI: 10.1055/a-2215-3415

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) following peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) occurs in 40% to 60% of patients. There are limited data evaluating antireflux surgery or transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) for refractory post-POEM GERD. In a single-center prospective cohort study, consecutive patients with medically refractory post-POEM regurgitation and/or GERD treated with TIF or combined laparoscopic hernia repair and TIF (cTIF) were evaluated. Baseline evaluation: GERD-Health Related Quality of Life (GERD-HQRL) and Reflux Symptom Questionnaire 7-day recall (RESQ-7) questionnaires, EGD, high-resolution manometry (HRM), 48-hour pH test off proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and impedance planimetry of the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) to calculate the diameter distensibility index (EGJ-DI). A PPI was taken twice daily for 2 weeks after TIF and restarted later if required. Patients returned 9 to 12 months after treatment when all preoperative studies were repeated. Quality of life, pH studies and EGJ metrics before and after antireflux surgery were compared. Seventeen patients underwent TIF (n=2, 12%) or cTIF (n=15, 88%) a mean 25±15 months after POEM. At follow-up a mean of 9±1 months after TIF/cTIF, patients required less frequent daily PPIs (n=0.001), were more satisfied (P=0.008), had improved GERD-HQRL (P=0.001), less intensity and frequency of GERD (P=0.001) and fewer reflux episodes (P=0.04) by pH testing. There was no change in EGJ-DI, EGJ diameter, integrated relaxation pressure, % total time pH <4, or DeMeester score. TIF and cTIF for difficult-to-control post-POEM GERD appear safe, decrease PPI use and reflux episodes, and improve QOL without significant change in IRP, EGJ compliance, diameter or esophageal acid exposure time.