Summary: Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is the cause of chickenpox and shingles, but it also infects, becomes latent, and reactivates in nerve cells of the bowel to cause a gastrointestinal disorder (enteric shingles). The Investigators recently found that a chronic active VZV infection, a form of enteric shingles, is associated with achalasia, a severe disease in which the passage of food from esophagus to ...

Summary: This study will assess short and long term outcomes of individuals undergoing minimally invasive surgery of the gastro-esophageal junction (MISGEJ). Patients will respond to questionnaires on an annual basis evaluating quality of life and functionality following MISGEJ. Hospital charts will also be reviewed on an annual basis to assess patient health outcomes.

Summary: The aims of this study are 1) to compare the efficacy and safety of conventional myotomy (long myotomy) and modified myotomy (short myotomy) in the treatment of type I/II achalasia patients diagnosed according to Chicago Classification; 2) to compare the efficacy and safety of conventional myotomy (circular myotomy) and modified myotomy (full-thickness myotomy) in the treatment of type I/II achala...

Summary: The prospective clinical trial will study muscle fibrosis in relation to lower esophageal sphincter (LES) measurements on Functional Lumen Imaging Probe (FLIP) Topography (the novel technology that utilizes impedance planimetry) after pharmacologic challenge. A better understanding of achalasia will allow intervention at an earlier stage.

Summary: Researchers are reviewing and analyzing surgical and clinical outcomes of subjects who underwent POPE for end-stage achalasia, a sigmoid esophagus, or a redundant conduit that has been used to replace the esophagus. This data will help researchers determine the safety and efficacy of a novel minimally invasive treatment compared to invasive surgery.

Summary: The objective of this randomized controlled trial (non-inferiority study) is to evaluate the outcomes of 4 cm short myotomy compared to the 8 cm standard length myotomy in Per-Oral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) for patients with achalasia. We hypothesize that a shorter myotomy with POEM will have the same clinical efficacy as standard length myotomy based on patient-reported Eckardt score with shorter...

Summary: The aim of the study is to compare the efficacy of per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) to the efficacy of pneumodilation as the initial treatment of symptomatic idiopathic achalasia. It is hypothesized that POEM has a higher long-term efficacy than pneumodilation in treatment of therapy-naive patients with idiopathic achalasia.

Summary: Patient with achalasia have a 10-50 fold increased risk to develop esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Early diagnosis of ESCC is essential, and detection of an earlier dysplastic stage is preferred. Endoscopic detection is however difficult and often delayed. Chromoendoscopy with Lugol dye increases detection rates dysplasia and ESCC to 91-100%. The aim of this study was therefore to evalu...

Summary: The goal of this observational study is to learn about hemodynamic and respiratory repercussions during general anesthesia in patients with achalasia or gastroparesis who underwent an endoscopic treatment such as a peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) or gastric (GPOEM). The main questions it aims to answer are: Are there predictable elements reliable to this study-population for the occurrence of ad...

Summary: The purpose of this study is to identify markers in the blood and tissue that could indicate risk factors for the development and progression of esophagus cancer. This research aims to collect medical history, blood, and tissue samples from patients who present with an esophageal disorder. Identifying genetic and behavioral risk factors involved in the development of esophageal cancer might allow ...

Summary: Patients that are either scheduled to undergo or have undergone an achalasia procedure at the Mayo Clinic Rochester are asked to participate. The purpose of this study is to gather information and determine if one of these procedures is superior to the other.

Summary: This is a pilot study to investigate the feasibility of performing per-oral endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) with endoscopic fundoplication for patient with achalasia. Post-POEM reflux is a well documented adverse event after POEM for achalasia. Case series have been published by addition of endoscopic fundoplication procedure during POEM. In the current study, 10 patients would be recruited for investig...