Per Oral Endoscopic Myotomy Procedure (POEM)

About This Treatment

Patients will benefit from a Per Oral Endoscopic Myotomy Procedure (POEM) due to its minimally invasive technique which allows our specialists to cut the specific muscle causing digestive problems while avoiding the need for open surgery.

What is a Per Oral Endoscopic Myotomy Procedure(POEM)?

Per Oral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) is a less invasive, specialized procedure to treat digestive disorders such as achalasia and other swallowing disorders that make it difficult to pass food or drink through the gastrointestinal tract. 

A POEM procedure can help with:

• Regurgitation of food
• Coughing and choking during eating or drinking
• Chest pain related to swallowing
• Weight issues 

There are three types of POEM procedures used to treat a variety of disorders: 

• Esophageal Per Oral Endoscopic Myotomy (E-POEM) is used to treat esophageal swallowing disorders like achalasia.
• Gastric Per Oral Endoscopic (G-POEM) can treat gastroparesis, which is a chronic condition where the stomach does not empty properly. 
• Zenker's Diverticulum Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (Z-POEM) is used when a pouch forms in the esophagus. This pouch can trap food and cause difficulty swallowing and regurgitation. 

What is the expected recovery time?

Patients are typically admitted overnight for a one-night hospital stay. After the procedure patients are required to modify their diet for two weeks.

How do I get connected to care?

Patients will need a referral from their Primary Care Provider, Gastroenterologist, Surgery, or ENT providers.