Manipal Hospital Baner Restores Normal Swallowing in Rare Achalasia Case

Pune: Doctors at Manipal Hospital in Baner, Pune, have successfully treated a 34-year-old patient suffering from a rare swallowing disorder, restoring their ability to eat and drink normally.

The patient experienced severe symptoms, including difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), vomiting, nausea, and appetite loss, for six months, significantly affecting their quality of life.

Following an Oesophago-Gastro-Duodenoscopy (OGD Scopy), the patient was diagnosed with Achalasia cardia, a rare oesophageal disorder that affects the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES).

This condition occurs when the LES fails to relax, causing abnormal oesophageal muscle spasms that obstruct the passage of food and liquids into the stomach.

Achalasia cardia, which affects 8–12 individuals per 100,000 globally, often leads to severe complications if left untreated, including malnutrition and aspiration pneumonia.

Speaking about the case, Dr Prasad Bhate, Consultant - Gastroenterologist, Manipal Hospital, Baner, Pune, said, "Achalasia cardia is a challenging condition to treat due to its complexity. The POEM method is a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure that reduces the need for open surgery. This leads to a faster recovery and improved outcomes for patients."

He further added, "Our patient was able to drink water within two hours of the treatment and progressed to a liquid diet within days, then to a soft diet for ten days. Oesophageal manometry, the most advanced diagnostic tool available at the hospital's newly constructed GI Motility Lab, made the diagnosis easier. This test analyses oesophageal muscle contractions and LES function and gives an accurate diagnosis of swallowing abnormalities such as achalasia."

The procedure was performed entirely endoscopically, involving precise cuts in the oesophageal muscles to relieve the obstruction and restore normal swallowing function. The treatment surpassed conventional techniques like Heller myotomy and pneumatic dilatation, offering less invasiveness and faster recovery.

Commenting on the hospital's capabilities, Mr. Anand Mote, Cluster Director, Manipal Hospital, Baner, Pune, said, “At Manipal Hospital in Baner, we are committed to using advanced techniques such as POEM to provide the best possible treatment to our patients. It shows our dedication to merging cutting-edge technology and a patient-centered approach. The effective treatment of this case highlights our hospital’s leadership in providing world-class gastrointestinal care and revolutionary solutions to rare medical conditions.”