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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Does anyone perform the POEM procedure in Australia?

    Related Topic
    Heartburn/GORD
    I have heard about a new operation for my swallowing problem called achalasia. There is a new operation performed without any cuts.
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  • 5

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    Mr Geoff Kohn

    Upper GI Surgeon (Abdominal)

    Assoc Prof Geoff Kohn is an Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeon in Melbourne, specialising in minimally-invasive management of diseases of the oesophagus and stomach. Geoff’s interests include: … View Profile

    I am happy to report that I intend to start performing the POEM procedure in Melbourne.

    The procedure is used to treat the swallowing disorder known as achalasia. It can also be used to treat a condition called diffuse oesophageal spasm.

    I have provided some basic information about the procedure below.

    What is the difference between the POEM procedure and the standard keyhole operation (laparoscopic Heller’s cardiomyotomy)?

    1. In POEM, no skin incisions are required – it is totally incision-free surgery
    2. In POEM, the oesophageal muscle can be divided along any length determined by your surgeon. In the laparoscopic operation, the length of muscle division can be about 7cm maximum
    3. In POEM, there is much less dissection and manipulation of the junction between the stomach and oesophagus. This will probably decrease the chance of the operation causing a hiatus hernia
    4. In POEM, no anti-reflux operation is performed
    For how long will I have pain after POEM?
    This varies from patient to patient, but mostly patients are completely pain free after one month.

    What do I need to do after I am discharged from hospital?
    After discharge, please follow the diet prescribed by your surgeon for the first week or two. This will include soft foods.

    Are the any possible complications?
    Heartburn and GORD may result from the procedure, but are often easily treated with antacid medications. It is possible that the oesophagus or stomach can leak after the procedure. This will we closely watched for by your surgeon.

    Is POEM any good?
    POEM is has now been performed in many centres around the world over approximately the past 3 years. Major complications in this time frame have been few, and resolution of swallowing problems are very good.

    www.uppergi.net

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  • 7

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    snowman

    HealthShare Member

    Does anyone perform this procedure in Sydney?

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    Anonymous

    Mr Gary Crosthwaite is currently performing POEM for achalasia in Melbourne. He has performed a series of cases and has been trained internationally. His results and outcomes have been presented at the Australia and New Zealand Oesophogastric Society meeting in Brisbane in March 2015

    POEM provides an option to have the latest non surgical procedure for Achalasia. it has been shown to be a safe and effective technique for the treatment of Achalasia. Mr Crosthwaite has been undertaking this procedure since 2013 and was the first to perform POEM in Australia

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