April 26, 2024
Collaboration brings new minimally invasive procedure to Alberta
CALGARY — Albertans can now access a minimally invasive procedure to treat swallowing disorders in the esophagus at hospitals in Calgary and Edmonton thanks to a collaborative treatment approach performed by a gastroenterologist and thoracic surgeon.
For years, some Albertans with achalasia — an excessive tightness of the ring of muscle between the esophagus and the stomach — would be referred out of province for treatment if they were eligible for a non-surgical procedure rather than traditional surgery.
Recently, gastroenterologists and thoracic surgeons at Foothills Medical Centre (FMC) in Calgary and the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton have collaborated to offer the minimally invasive procedure: peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM). During the procedure, an endoscope — a narrow flexible tube with a camera — is inserted through the mouth and cuts the muscles in the esophagus, without the need for surgery or incisions in the skin.
“Esophageal disorders can significantly impact a patient's quality of life. By providing access to advanced treatments like POEM, we offer hope and relief to individuals struggling with these conditions,” says Dr. Paul Belletrutti, a gastroenterologist at FMC.
“Collaboration between thoracic surgeons and gastroenterologists has been instrumental in bringing POEM to southern Alberta. Combining our expertise through a comprehensive approach to treating esophageal disorders ensures patients receive the highest standard of care closer to home, saving them the additional costs associated with travelling out of the province.”
It’s estimated 60 patients will now be able to access POEM in Calgary and Edmonton annually. The first POEM procedure in Alberta was performed at FMC this past October; since then,
15 patients have received POEM in the two Alberta hospitals.
“Patients undergoing endoscopic procedures such as POEM benefit from less pain and quicker recovery compared to open surgeries," says Dr. Colin Schieman, a thoracic surgeon at FMC.
Richard Pili was the first patient to receive POEM in his hometown of Calgary. For as long as he can remember, food would become trapped in his esophagus because the muscles wouldn’t relax. With any meal, Pili would cough and choke and, when he went out to eat, he would frequently have to excuse himself from the table and spit out his food to get through the meal.
“The procedure was life-changing,” Pili says. “With achalasia, I would choke on water. And before the procedure, eating and swallowing had become so difficult that I had lost a significant amount of weight.”
Pili said he immediately noticed a change in his ability to swallow following the procedure, and he has been able to put on and maintain a healthy weight.
“I can now eat and drink whatever I want and not have to worry about spitting out my food.”
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Our mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans. Our current focus is on reducing emergency department wait-times, improving EMS response times, increasing access to surgeries, and improving patient flow.
