Pediatric achalasia and peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM): Ten-year outcomes for 101 children at a single institution

Pediatric achalasia, characterized by impaired relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and abnormal esophageal peristalsis, remains a rare but increasingly recognized motility disorder. While laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) has traditionally been the surgical treatment of choice, peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has emerged as a promising minimally invasive alternative, demonstrating favorable safety profiles and efficacy. This study presents the largest single-institutional review of POEM outcomes in pediatric patients to date, including a significant subgroup of patients aged 10 years or younger, addressing a critical gap in the current literature.