Three-to-six month post-POEM timed barium esophagram can predict esophageal contents and may stratify aspiration risk on follow-up EGD

In post-POEM achalasia patients, follow-up TBE at 3-6 months demonstrating a 5-minute barium column height of less than 7.0 cm and passage of a 13 mm barium tablet may predict an esophagus free of liquid/solids during follow-up EGD after a 2-day solid fast. This study adds to our knowledge that TBE findings are a good predictor of esophageal emptying post-POEM, and may be used to predict which patients may be at risk of having residual esophageal contents and therefore need EI.