Comprehensive Analysis of Adverse Events Associated with Gastric Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy: An International Multicenter Study

Background: Gastric peroral endoscopic myotomy (G-POEM) has emerged as an effective management approach for patients with refractory gastroparesis. This study aims to comprehensively study the safety of G-POEM and describe the predictive factors of adverse events (AEs) occurrence. Methods: This study is a retrospective study involving 13 tertiary care centers (7 USA, 1 South America, 4 Europe, and 1 Asia). Patients who underwent G-POEM for refractory gastroparesis were included. Cases were identified by the occurrence of AEs. For each case, two controls were randomly selected and matched for age (± 10 years), gender, and etiology of gastroparesis. Results: A total of 216 patients underwent G-POEM for gastroparesis. Overall, 31 (14%) AEs were encountered [mild 24 (77%), moderate 5 (16%), and severe 2 (6%)] during the duration of the study. The most common AE was abdominal pain (n = 16), followed by mucosotomy (n = 5) and capnoperitoneum (n = 4), and AEs were most commonly identified within the first 48-h post-procedure 18 (58%). The risk of adverse event occurrence was significantly higher for endoscopists with experience of < 20 G-POEM procedures (OR 3.03 [1.03–8.94], p < 0.05). Conclusion: G-POEM seems to be a safe intervention for refractory gastroparesis. AEs are most commonly mild and managed conservatively. Longitudinal mucosal incision, use of hook knife, use of clips for mucosal closure and endoscopist’s experience with > 20 G-POEM procedures is significantly associated with decreased incidence of AEs.