Higher lower esophageal sphincter pressure predicts better outcomes after POEM

In a study involving 237 patients undergoing per oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM), researchers found that while achalasia type was not predictive of the need for further interventions or symptom relief, a higher integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) on preoperative manometry was associated with greater postoperative symptom improvement, indicated by reduced Eckardt scores (p=0.03). This suggests that patients with elevated IRP may experience more significant relief compared to those with lower pressures.