Belgian Patient Undergoes Successful Z-POEM Procedure at Gleneagles Hospital, Chennai
Chennai: A 75-year-old man from Belgium, who had been experiencing severe regurgitation, a persistent cough, and the passage of undigested food for more than 15 years in his country, was successfully treated at Gleneagles Hospital Chennai using a rare and complicated Z-POEM (Per Oral Endoscopic Myotomy) procedure.
A large Zenker's Diverticulum, a disorder in which a pouch grows in the throat and causes discomfort and difficulty swallowing, was diagnosed by the doctors in Belgium. The patient was referred to Gleneagles Hospital, Chennai, for an advanced endoscopic procedure.
Dr B Mahadevan, senior consultant and Head of Department, Medical Gastroenterology & Therapeutic Endoscopy, Gleneagles Hospital Chennai, examined the patient's condition and decided to perform the complex Z-POEM (Per Oral Endoscopic Myotomy), a minimally invasive technique. The Patient underwent the Z-POEM procedure, where a submucosal tunnel was created to access the septum.
The tunnel allowed the surgeon to visualise and perform the complete division of the muscular and mucosal septa using specialised endoscopic instruments, which relieved the patient from obstruction and enabled normal food swallowing. Post-surgery, the patient is now completely symptom-free and recovering well.
The breakthrough procedure was spearheaded by Dr B Mahadevan, senior consultant and head of department — Medical Gastroenterology & Therapeutic Endoscopy. The team is led by Dr. Babukumar, Dr. Srinivas, Dr. Kiruthika and supported by skilled technicians and nursing staff.
“As the patient had a large Zenker’s Diverticulum, he had severe difficulty in swallowing food or water for several years, With the Z-POEM procedure, we can treat this condition in a minimally invasive way, avoiding open surgery and ensuring faster recovery with excellent outcomes for our patients." Said Dr Mahadevan. The Z-POEM is an intricate, minimally invasive procedure, and this success further strengthens our expertise in complex GI endoscopy. “added Dr Mahadevan
"At Gleneagles Hospital Chennai, we are committed to bringing the most advanced medical procedures to our patients. The successful performance of the Z-POEM procedure for a large Zenker’s Diverticulum highlight both our clinical expertise and our dedication to minimally invasive care.
"This development reinforces our mission to provide world-class treatment options right here in Chennai, ensuring patients have access to cutting-edge healthcare with faster recovery and improved outcomes," said Dr. Nageshwar Rao, CEO, Gleneagles Hospital Chennai.
Gleneagles Hospital Chennai’s Endoscopy Unit is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and offers comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic services for diseases involving the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder.
Kanchan Chaurasiya joined Medical Dialogues in 2025 as a Media and Marketing Intern. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Arts from Delhi University and has completed certifications in digital marketing. She has a strong interest in health news, content creation, hospital updates, and emerging trends. At Medical Dialogues, Kanchan manages social media and also creates web stories to enhance mobile content reach and audience engagement.