Peroral endoscopic myotomy for achalasia

Treatment of achalasia mainly aims at lowering of the pressure of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and remission of dysphagia. Owing to its characteristic of symptom recurrence, it is urgent for us to develop an optimal treatment for achalasia. Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM), which has been developed in recent years, is a new minimally invasive technique for achalasia, and it can effectively lower the pressure of LES and improve the symptom of dysphagia. However, its long term efficacy for achalasia still remains to be confirmed. This review mainly describes the indications, equipments, technical aspects, clinical effects and complications of POEM for the treatment of achalasia.