Feasibility of the peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) procedure with a new small-caliber endoscope (thin-POEM) in patients with achalasia.

Background: Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a recognized technique for patients with achalasia. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using a small-caliber endoscope (thin-POEM) to perform POEM in patients with achalasia.

Methods: Naïve or previously treated patients were included between February 2016 and April 2018.

Long-term quality of life after peroral endoscopic myotomy remains compromised in patients with achalasia type III.

 Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is an excellent endoscopic treatment for achalasia. Clinical and manometric parameters are used for evaluation and follow-up. However, clinical success does not guarantee high quality of life (QoL) scores, generating doubts about their direct relationship.

[Per-oral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM): A safe and effective treatment for achalasia in geriatric patients].

Background: Esophageal achalasia is a primary motor disorder of the esophagus characterized by impair relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter and absent of esophageal peristalsis. Per-oral endoscopic myotomy is an alternative treatment to surgical Heller myotomy in patients over 65 years old. The aim of this paper was to describe the results of peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) or the treatment of achalasia in geriatric patients.

Novel pharmacological therapies for management of chronic constipation.

Chronic constipation is a common health problem that significantly affects the quality of life of patients and impacts in terms of costs; current treatments based on fiber and laxatives cause dissatisfaction to doctors and patients in more than half of the cases. New drugs are now available or in very advanced stages of research, with different and innovative mechanisms of action as prucalopride, lubiprostone, and linaclotide. Prucalopride an enterokinetic, is a selective high-affinity 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)4 receptor agonist of serotonin that increases the peristaltic reflex and the colonic contractions; lubiprostone, a type 2 chlorine channel activator, or linaclotide, a guanylate cyclase-C agonist of enterocytes, both prosecretory agents, stimulate the secretion of fluid within the intestinal lumen.

[Guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of constipation in Mexico. B) Diagnostic approach].

Background: Constipation is a heterogeneous symptom so an accurate diagnosis requires an appropriate approach.

Objective And Methods: To establish the clinical guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of chronic constipation in Mexico we have reviewed the diagnostic aspects of constipation according to the availability of resources in our country. In addition, evidence-based recommendations have been provided.

[The Latin-American Consensus on Chronic Constipation].

The Latin-American Consensus on Chronic Constipation aimed to establish guidelines to improve the identification, diagnosis and treatment of this disorder in the region. Two coordinators and an honorary coordinator established the process and the topics to be discussed, based on a systematic review of the literature published in the previous 10 years, since 1995. Seventeen members participated with the support of their local gastroenterology societies.