The neurogastrointestinal team crafts personalized treatment plans for every patient with gastrointestinal neuromotility disorders, addressing their specific condition, individual health needs, lifestyle and goals.
Per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a newer, non-surgical procedure that effectively eases the symptoms of such swallowing disorders as achalasia and Zenker’s diverticulum as well as gastroparesis, a medical condition in which the stomach cannot empty properly.
One of the nation’s only gastroenterologists trained to offer POEM is right here at Hartford HealthCare.
The conditions helped by POEM are caused by spasms of muscles in the esophagus and stomach that can leave you feeling as if you’re choking or, in the case of gastroparesis, you may experience regurgitation and vomiting when you eat.
We take different approaches with POEM depending on the condition we’re treating.
- Achalasia. Using an endoscope inserted down your throat, your specialist makes a small incision in the lining of your esophagus and cuts the muscle of the lower esophagus to help it relax after swallowing. This approach is more effective than Botox injections, balloon dilation and surgery.
- Zenker’s diverticulum. Using a similar technique, which also proves to be more effective than surgery, your specialist cuts the pouch that has formed in your esophagus.
- Gastroparesis. Cutting the muscle at the stomach and small intestine connection, your specialist can ease symptoms without the risk of complications that come with surgery. Ours is the only facility in Connecticut and one of a few in the country offering this procedure, which is called G-POEM.
POEM leaves patients with no external scars. Most are discharged within a day, experience little to no pain and return to a regular diet in about two weeks.