A 61-year-old woman who had been experiencing recurrent cough, difficulty in swallowing food, nausea and persistent retrosternal burning was successfully treated at Medicover Hospitals, Secunderabad. Her symptoms had progressed to the point where even liquids caused discomfort. A CT scan revealed a significantly dilated esophagus. 

At Medicover, further evaluation through endoscopy and high-resolution Manometry confirmed Achalasia Cardia, a rare esophageal motility disorder with an incidence of 1 in every 1 lakh individuals. The condition occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter fails to relax, leading to food stagnation, risk of aspiration, weight loss, and severe nutritional compromise. The patient underwent Per Oral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM), where specialized endoscopic knives are used to cut the tight muscle layers, restoring normal swallowing. She resumed liquids the very next day and experienced significant relief. Speaking about the advance, Dr. Krishna Gopal, Medicover Hospitals, Secunderabad, said that Endoscopic innovations like POEM have transformed outcomes for patients with complex esophageal disorders. 

Strengthening Medicover’s leadership in advanced GI procedures

Over the last three months, the Gastroenterology team at Medicover Hospitals, Secunderabad, has successfully performed multiple complex interventions such as ERCP in elderly and critically ill patients; laser therapy for large CBD stones; enabling complete stone clearance in challenging cases; and small bowel enteroscopy, which has enhanced.