70% of the people who chose Gastric Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (G-POEM) as a treatment option for Gastroparesis have reported improved symptoms and sometimes even complete remission.
It means that the G-POEM procedure for Gastroparesis is an effective treatment option. It is a minimally invasive surgery that is often performed through an endoscope. Let’s understand how it works to reduce or eliminate different digestive conditions.
What Is The G-POEM Procedure?
Gastric Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that is performed to treat different digestive disorders. One of the most prominent is Gastroparesis, a stomach motility disorder.
The term peroral means “through the mouth”. It means that the G-POEM procedure is performed through your mouth. The physician inserts an endoscope, and through it, the whole procedure is performed. It is performed under general anesthesia, and you are supported by a breathing tube in your trachea for breathing.
The Gastroparesis condition is characterized by the difficulty of your food content moving into the intestines. Most of the time, it happens due to pyloric sphincter dysfunction. It is a condition in which the muscles of your pylorus (the opening between the esophagus and the lower end of the stomach) become stiff and do not allow food to pass through with ease.
The g-poem procedure helps restore normal gastric flow by improving the function of the pylorus, which allows the food to move freely into the intestine. This procedure has shown amazing results in patients with idiopathic gastroparesis (no identifiable cause) as well as in diabetic gastroparesis treatment, where nerve damage slows stomach contractions.
How Is The Gastric Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy Performed?
For the g-poem procedure, you might be advised by your physician weeks before (generally two weeks) to consume a liquid diet only. This is the period when you should share all the necessary details with your surgeon, such as any allergies, medications, and supplements that you are currently taking.
It is also important to have someone by your side during and especially after the procedure to take you home because you will be drowsy due to the anesthesia.
On the day of your surgery, the procedure somehow look like this:
- First of all, the physician inserts a flexible endoscope through the mouth into the stomach under general anesthesia, which creates a small incision in the stomach lining.
- Through this opening, a submucosal tunnel is made to reach the pyloric sphincter.
- Once the target location is accessed, a precise pyloromyotomy (targeted cut of the pyloric muscle) is performed to reduce resistance and promote better gastric emptying.
- The tunnel and entry site are then closed using endoscopic clips, which finally completes the G-POEM endoscopic procedure without any external cuts.
The whole g-poem procedure takes one to two hours, and you are most of the time supposed to stay in the hospital overnight for observation. Recovery after g-poem is faster compared to the other surgeries for gastric outlet obstruction. Within days, many patients report reduced nausea, improved appetite, and a noticeable decline in post-meal discomfort.
What To Expect After The G-POEM for Gastroparesis?
As we mentioned earlier, recovery after the g-poem surgery is relatively smoother and quicker. Here’s what you can expect:
- Most patients are discharged within 24–48 hours after the g-poem procedure, depending on how quickly they recover and tolerate fluids.
- The diet usually starts with clear liquids, then moves to soft foods over the next few days to allow the stomach to heal.
- Some patients experience temporary bloating, mild chest pressure, or sore throat from the endoscope, which typically resolves within a few days.
- Within weeks, patients often notice a reduction in nausea, vomiting, and early fullness as the stomach’s ability to empty food improves.
- Regular follow-up visits and imaging may be recommended to monitor progress and ensure long-term success of the g-poem procedure.
Final Thoughts
The Gastric Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy is an amazing advancement in the field of gastroenterology. It determines the root cause of major digestive disorders, such as pyloric sphincter dysfunction, and helps to surgically treat them.
As research continues, the promise of G-POEM for gastroparesis extends beyond relief. It signifies renewed hope for patients worldwide who are struggling with chronic digestive disorders. This advancement marks not just progress in treatment but a profound leap forward in the pursuit of better digestive health.