Objective To analyze clinical characteristics of gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD) in aged patients for improvement of diagnosis and treatemcnt. Methods The reflux disease questionnaire was performed in patients diagnosed as GERD based on Montreal definition and classification as well as Rome Ⅲ criteria.All patients were divided into elderly group (≥65 years) and control group(＜65 years). The incidence of hita[ hernia (HH), the frequencies of esophagitis (based on Los Angeles classification), clinical features, and quality of life were compared between two groups. Results There was no difference between two groups in male/female ratio and morbidity of HH(P＞0.05). In comparison with control group, the frequency of esophagitis graded as LC or LD increased and extra-esophageal symptoms were higher in elderly group (P＜ 0.05), but the lower typical symptoms (heartburn and regurgitation) were seen in the elderly group(P＜0.05). The scores of role physical, bodily pain and role emotional were higher in elderly group than those in control group (P＜0.05). There was no significant differences between two groups in physical function, vitality,social functioning, mental health, and general health. Conclusion The elderly GERD patients often have lower score of typical reflux symptoms (heartburn and regurgitation) and high incidence of severer esophagitis, but their quality of life is not significantly influenced.

Objective:To evaluate the long-term efficacy of double-tunnel peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) and traditional POEM in the treatment of achalasia cardia.Methods:A randomized controlled trial was performed on the data of 30 patients with achalasia cardia, who underwent POEM in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from June 2018 to June 2019. The 30 consecutive patients were randomly assigned to double-tunnel POEM group (15 cases, a second tunnel was established opposite to the traditional one) and traditional POEM group (15 cases). Intraoperative information was recorded, and patients were followed up regularly to compare the efficacy and complications between the two groups.Results:Double-tunnel POEM and traditional POEM were all completed with technical success. There were no significant differences in the intraoperative complications (5/15 VS 4/15, P=1.000), hospitalization time or cost between the two groups. The follow-up time was 17.20±4.83 months and 15.33±4.67 months in the traditional POEM group and the double-tunnel POEM group, respectively. The Eckardt scores after surgery between the two groups had no significant difference [1.53 (2.00) VS 1.60 (3.00), Z=-0.363, P=0.744]. The symptom relief cases were both 14 in the two groups. The postoperative 4-second integrated relaxation pressure (4 s IRP) of the double-tunnel group (11.27±3.14 mmHg) was significantly lower than that of the traditional group (15.05±4.21 mmHg, t=2.794, P=0.009). There was no significant difference in postoperative gastroesophageal reflux disease questionnaire scores between the two groups (4.40±1.64 VS 4.20±1.42, t=0.357, P=0.724). Conclusion:Double-tunnel POEM has almost the same efficacy as the traditional POEM except for a lower post-POEM 4 sIRP.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of combination of submucosal tunneling endoscopic septum division (STESD) and peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for the treatment of esophageal epiphrenic diverticulum with esophagogastric junction (EGJ) outflow tract disorder.Methods:From October 2017 to August 2021, 6 patients with esophageal epiphrenic diverticulum complicated with EGJ outflow tract disorder receiving combination of STESD and POEM in the Endoscopic Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were enrolled. The clinical characteristics of the patients were retrospectively analyzed, which included the ratio of male to female, age, course of disease, length of diverticula, location, whether with multiple diverticula, type of EGJ outflow tract disorders, whether the endoscopic technique was successful (the completion of all steps under endoscopy, including tunnel establishment and diverticulum cristae, lower esophageal sphincter and cardia muscularis propria incision); operation time, changes in the severity of clinical symptoms before and after operation (including weight loss, dysphagia, retrosternal pain, and reflux assessed using the Eckardt score), intraoperative and postoperative complications, and follow-up, including whether achieved clinical success (complete or nearly complete improvement of dysphagia, vomiting after eating, retrosternal pain, regurgitation, weight loss, no need for repeat endoscopic intervention during follow-up) and adverse events. Descriptive methods were used for statistical analysis.Results:The male to female ratio of the 6 patients was 3 to 3, the median age was 69.2 years old, and the median disease course was 92.3 months. The median length of the diverticula was 47.5 mm. Diverticulum was located in the right wall of esophagus in 4 cases and in the left wall of esophagus in 2 cases, of which 1 patient was multiple diverticulum of esophagus. Achalasia was found in 5 cases, and EGJ outflow obstruction was found in 1 case. All the 6 patients successfully completed combination of STESD and POEM, and all achieved successful edoscopic technique. The operation time (range) was 55 min (40 to 70 min). Clinical symptom Eckardt score (range) before and after operation was 9.0 (7.0 to 11.0) and 1.3 (1.0 to 2.0), respectively. After operation the clinical symptom improved compared with that before operation. There were no delayed bleeding, perforation, infection, subcutaneous emphysema and other complications and severe adverse events. Six patients were all cured and discharged. Follow-up period was 1 to 50 months. The symptoms of dysphagia, vomiting after eating, retrosternal pain, regurgitation and weight loss were all significantly improved compared with those before operation. There were no severe adverse events and all achieved clinical success.Conclusions:Combination of STESD and POEM is safe and effective in the treatment of esophageal epiphrenic diverticulum with EGJ outflow tract disorder, and has good short-term and long-term effects.

Background: Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is safe and effective in the treatment of achalasia (AC). However, there are few reports on application of POEM in the elderly, and is limited by small sample size and short follow-up. Aims: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of POEM and its influential factors on AC in geriatric patients. Methods: A total of 215 AC patients received POEM from November 2012 to December 2018 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were enrolled, and were divided into elderly group (≥60 years old) and non-elderly group (<60 years old). The clinical information, POEM procedure, efficacy and safety were compared, follow-up was performed, and influential factors were analyzed. Results: The disease course in elderly group was significantly longer than that in non-elderly group (P=0.002); the integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) of lower esophageal sphincter in elderly group was significantly decreased than that in non-elderly group (P=0.013). No significant differences in basic information, Chicago classification, POEM procedure, postoperative Eckardt score between the two groups were found (P>0.05). The median follow-up was 42 (29, 60) months. The rate of treatment failure or recurrence in elderly group was significantly increased than that in non-elderly group (17.5% vs. 7.4%, P=0.047). However, there was no statistical difference in incidence of clinical reflux between the two groups (P>0.05). The postoperative efficacy was correlated with preoperative IRP in elderly patients (P=0.033). The propensity score matching results showed that no significant difference in prognosis was found between the two groups. Conclusions: POEM is safe and effective for elderly patients with AC. However, the efficacy is lower in elderly patients than that in non-elderly patients due to the long course of disease and lower preoperative IRP.