The use of POEM and its success rate has gained recognition at a very rapid pace. Being a Pioneer & supporter of this technique has been met with great response from an increasing number of our patients. Here are excerpts from from an email I recieved from a patient suffering from Achalasia Cardia. 

" I was really worried when diagnosed with Achalasia. On meeting you, I learnt of the recent advances in medical science and the option of P.O.E.M. (Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy) procedure. The explanation you provided on the procedure installed belief in me that I would be fine.  I am pleased to inform you that I had a speedy recovery and am doing well. I felt a great relief and ease in eating food immediately after the surgery and in about just 2 weeks of time, felt fully recovered. Swallowing food now has become as effortless as before and the credit for this goes to you.

 

My family and I are grateful to you and the hospital staff for all that you have done for us. I very strongly recommend for any individual who may be suffering from this condition to elect for the P.O.E.M. under your excellent care. 

 

I am writing to thank you again for your exceptional skill and professionalism."

 _________________________________________________________________________________

To know more about the POEM surgery and create deeper awareness, we will be uploading videos on the YouTube channel. 

 I am sharing with you my interview that was taken recently for getting information about ESD - Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection, a minimally invasive procedure for resection of digestive tract Cancer.

Click here to watch the Video

Please subscribe to the YouTube Channel, we would love to hear your feedback.

For More visit: www.facebook.com/drbapayeendoscopy

Dr Amol Bapaye’s study on Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD), a new technique for the removal of early stage digestive tract cancer lesions, has been accepted and published in Indian Journal of Gastroenterology. Dr Bapaye, an interventional endoscopist from the city, said the study conducted on patients diagnosed with gastric cancer showed that ESD is an effective technique for removal of early gastric cancer, submucosal tumors or colonic polyps and can be performed even with limited resources by an expert in a standard endoscopy suite. ESD, which originated in Japan in the late ’90s, enables a clinician to resect an early stage digestive tract cancer as a single piece regardless of the tumor size. This permits a higher curative resection rate and increased quality of life by minimising the resection size compared with that of Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR). Bapaye has been invited to be a part of the AsiaPacific Association of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (APAGE) ESD forum for further clinical research and development of this specialty.

Credits: The Indian express online, www.indianexpress.com

What began as a little discomfort while swallowing food, 8 to 10 months earlier, progressively worsened until 68- year-old Ramchandra Lalge of Wakad could barely swallow any solid food. All efforts made by local doctors failed to resolve his problem. He was faced with the prospect of undergoing a major open surgery, which he wished to avoid due to his existing cardiac condition.
Lalge who then sought treatment from gastro-endoscopist — Dr Amol Bapaye — was detected with a condition known as Achalasia Cardia which is a disorder of the food pipe that prevents normal swallowing . "It affects the lower esophageal sphincter, a ring of muscle that encircles the food pipe just above the entrance to the stomach, which goes into a spasm (contraction), preventing the normal entry of food into the stomach" Bapaye said.
The traditional treatment is surgery, which is a major procedure and in Lalge's case was not advisable as he is a cardiac patient with a pacemaker. A less invasive alternative endoscopic balloon dilatation, which although effective in short-term, has a high chance of recurrence and needs repeated procedures.
To avoid surgery and minimise the risk to the patient, Bapaye decided to carry out a stitch less procedure called 'Per Oral Endoscopic Myotomy' (POEM). A recent development, Lalge is the first to undergo this procedure in the city. Using flexible endoscopes via oral route, it is passed into the foodpipe and an incision is taken on the lining. After creating a submucosal tunnel, the muscle is cut from inside in order to produce the same result as in surgery. The incision is then closed using endoscopic clips. "The patient was able to take food the subsequent day. A week after discharge, he is recovering and is delighted to be eating food normally, after almost a year. While the condition is not rare, the stitch less procedure — 'POEM' — was the first of it's kind in Pune," claims Bapaye.
Credits: The Indian Express Online, www.indianexpress.com

Diagnosis and treatment of the cancers of the digestive tract have become significantly safer and simpler due to endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS).
"This relatively new endoscopy technique allows appropriate and accurate staging of cancers, thereby enabling selection of proper mode of treatment. It is a boon for millions of people worldwide, especially the elderly, whose quality of life is severely compromised due to complex ailments of the digestive tract including cancers, especially those of the pancreas, bile ducts, gall bladder, stomach and esophagus," said gastro endoscopist Dr Amol Bapaye.

Conditions like enlarged lymph nodes and fluid collections in the chest or abdomen traditionally require surgical treatment. But the EUS is a far better option as it avoids open surgery, he added.
Bapay said, "The ultrasound probe is introduced into the food pipe through the oral route, avoiding any cuts on the body. Under vision the surgeon guides it all the way to the target area and then switches to EUS mode. This gives him the ability to look beyond the wall of the gut, from inside, which gives a much sharper and unhindered ultrasonic image."
The subsequent procedures - biopsy for detection of cancer, staging of cancer and determining treatment strategy could also be stitchless and bloodless - a boon for senior citizens and those with existing complications like heart problems, diabetes, hypertension, etc. "Traditional methods are time consuming, cause substantial discomfort and may also involve invasive surgical procedures," said Bapay who has over eight years of experience in this field and has undergone an advanced training in France and Austria.
Surgeon Sanjay Kolte of Sahydri Hospitals said, "Early detection of periampullary cancers (bile duct cancers, duodenal cancers etc) and bile duct stones have become relatively very easy with EUS. This has enhanced the rate of cure."
Bapay has also authored the book - 'Practical handbook of Endoscopic Ultrasonography' which was recently released internationally. The book is available for doctors who wish to specialise in the technique of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS).
"Mastering the art of interpreting the images is no doubt a daunting task but we hope that this handbook with its step-by-step approach will enable every aspiring endoscopist to master this skill," said Bapaye. "Our challenge was to bring out a book that was concise, simple to read and amply illustrated and which, describes the technique in a step-wise manner. Three hundred high-resolution colour illustrations describe every step of the procedure. Radial and linear techniques have been separately discussed and illustrated," he added.

Credits: The Times Of India Online, www.timesofindia.com