Peroral endoscopic myotomy for achalasia in patients aged ≥ 65 years

Table 1 Demographics, clinical and operative data in elderly patients treated with peroral endoscopic myotomy

Patient characteristics
Sex, female/male, n	9/6
Age, median (range), yr	67 (65-84)
Duration of symptoms, yr	17 (4-40)
Primary procedure, n
Heller surgical myotomy	1
Pneumatic dilatation	4
Self-expanding metallic stent	1
Interval between primary procedure and POEM, median (range), yr	8.0 (2-20)
Procedure-related parameters
Operating time, median (range), min	55 (40-110)
Mode of myotomy
Circular myotomy	3
Full-thickness	12
Submucosal tunnel length, cm	13 (13-15)
Myotomy length, median (range), cm
Total	10 (9-13)
Esophageal	7 (6-11)
Gastric	3 (2-3)
Eckardt score
Pre-operation	8 (5-10)
Post-operation	1 (0-3)
LES pressure, mmHg
Pre-operation	27.4 (22.8-33.5)
Post-operation	9.6 (7.2-13.1)
Diameter of esophagus, mm
Pre-operation	51 (43-57)
Post-operation	30 (24-35)
Complications, n
Reflux esophagitis	1
Follow-up, median (range), mo	18 (6-39)

POEM: Peroral endoscopic myotomy.

Table 2 SF-36 domain scores before operation and at 1 and 6 mo after operation

	Preoperative	1 mo after operation	P value	6 mo after operation	P value
Physical functioning	85 (75-90)	90 (85-90)	0.005	90 (85-95)	0.001
Role limitations due to physical problems	100 (50-100)	100 (81-100)	0.007	100 (100-100)	0.009
Role limitations due to emotional problems	100 (67-100)	100 (100-100)	0.110	100 (100-100)	0.055
Energy/fatigue	80 (50-80)	85 (80-85)	0.002	85 (80-85)	0.002
Emotional well-being	80 (72-88)	84 (80-88)	0.084	84 (80-84)	0.079
Social functioning	100 (67-100)	100 (78-100)	0.013	100 (100-100)	0.010
Pain	68 (52-100)	84 (72-100)	0.009	92 (84-100)	0.005
General health	52 (35-77)	77 (57-77)	0.000	87 (72-97)	0.000

All scores expressed as median with interquartile range.