New Technology in Iraq Saves Lives by Preventing Misdiagnoses!
In a new step towards enhancing patient care, Warith International Cancer Institute (WICI) proudly offers the latest treatment methods in Iraq. The "POEM" (Per Oral Endoscopic Myotomy) technique has been introduced in Iraq by Warith International Cancer Institute to treat patients with esophageal achalasia. This technique uses upper endoscopy instead of traditional surgery, which involved making an incision in the skin. In patients with esophageal achalasia, the lower esophageal sphincter is excessively tight. The goal of all treatments for esophageal achalasia is to weaken the lower esophageal sphincter.
Esophageal Achalasia:
• In cases of esophageal achalasia, the muscles of the esophagus do not contract properly to push food toward the stomach, and the muscle ring at the lower end of the esophagus (lower esophageal sphincter) does not relax sufficiently to allow food to enter the stomach.
• Esophageal achalasia causes food to accumulate in the esophagus, leading to symptoms, such as reflux (regurgitation of food and fluids into the mouth after swallowing), chest pain, and aspiration of food or fluids into the airways.
• Achalasia can be overlooked or misdiagnosed because its symptoms are similar to those of other gastrointestinal disorders.
• The doctor is likely to recommend some tests such as:
1. Esophageal manometry: This test measures the muscle contractions in the esophagus during swallowing.
2. Upper endoscopy: This procedure helps detect abnormalities such as strictures and tumors in the esophagus. During this procedure, doctors can also take tissue samples (biopsy) or remove abnormal tissue for further examination.
"POEM" Technique:
POEM is a procedure used to treat swallowing disorders caused by muscle problems such as spasms in the esophagus. The "POEM" technique uses an endoscope (a thin, flexible tube with a camera) inserted through the mouth to cut the muscles in the esophagus. Cutting these muscles allows them to relax and prevents them from tightening and interfering with swallowing.
Benefits of the POEM Technique:
• It is minimally invasive, as it does not involve an external skin incision.
• It is a less invasive alternative to Heller myotomy, which is a similar procedure that uses small incisions to access the esophagus, rather than reaching it through the mouth.
• Endoscopic procedures often mean less pain and faster recovery compared to open surgical procedures.
• The POEM technique offers a success rate of up to 90%.