Apollo doctors treat 35-year-old woman with achalasia using advanced endoscopic procedure

Doctors at Apollo Hospitals, Visakhapatnam, successfully treated a 35-year-old woman suffering from Achalasia Cardia. This disorder causes increasing difficulty in swallowing food and liquids, using an advanced minimally invasive procedure called Per-Oral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM).

The procedure was performed on Monday by a team led by Dr Varun Teja. The patient had been experiencing difficulty in swallowing, a common symptom of achalasia, which can progressively interfere with normal eating and drinking.

Doctors explained that Achalasia Cardia occurs when the muscular valve connecting the oesophagus, or food pipe, to the stomach fails to relax properly during swallowing. This prevents food and liquids from passing normally into the stomach, causing them to accumulate in the oesophagus.

The condition can result in difficulty swallowing, regurgitation, chest discomfort and gradual weight loss. In severe cases, persistent symptoms can affect a patient’s nutritional health and overall quality of life.

The POEM procedure offers a scar-free and minimally invasive option for treating the condition. During the procedure, doctors insert a flexible endoscope through the mouth and reach the affected area of the food pipe. The tight muscle is then carefully divided to allow the valve to relax and facilitate the normal passage of food into the stomach.

Unlike conventional surgical treatment, POEM does not involve external incisions. This eliminates visible surgical scars and generally allows patients to recover more quickly.

The patient recovered well after the procedure and was able to return to a normal diet within a few days, Dr Varun Teja said.

The successful treatment reflects the growing use of advanced endoscopic procedures in the management of complex gastrointestinal disorders and provides patients with a less invasive alternative to conventional surgery.