KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia—Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur announced in June that its staff members have successfully performed 50 peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) procedures since the service was introduced in 2020.
POEM is a cutting-edge, incisionless procedure used to treat achalasia, a rare disorder that affects the ability of the esophagus to move food into the stomach. The POEM procedures are led by Dr. Lau Peng Choong, a consultant upper gastrointestinal surgeon at the hospital.
“We’re proud to reach this milestone of 50 POEM cases,” said Dr. Lau. “This treatment has significantly improved the quality of life for patients with achalasia—a condition that’s often misdiagnosed as acid reflux or anxiety. With POEM, we can now offer an effective, minimally invasive solution with quicker recovery and less discomfort.”
Unlike traditional or even laparoscopic surgeries, POEM is performed entirely using an endoscope passed through the mouth. The technique involves cutting the muscles at the lower end of the esophagus to allow smoother passage of food, offering faster recovery times, less pain, and lower complication risks.
