Apollo Hospitals Guwahati has successfully performed Per Oral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM), an advanced endoscopic procedure used to treat Achalasia Cardia, becoming the first hospital in Northeast India to carry out the procedure, hospital officials said on January 5.
The milestone procedure was conducted at Apollo Hospitals’ G S Road facility in Guwahati by the gastroenterology team led by Dr Roshan Agarwala and Dr Kamal Chetri.
Apollo Hospitals Guwahati has performed Northeast India’s first Per Oral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) procedure for Achalasia Cardia, a swallowing disorder. Conducted at its G S Road facility, the advanced endoscopic treatment is expected to reduce the need for patients from Assam and the Northeast to travel outside the region for care.
About the procedure and outcomes
Hospital sources said the gastroenterology team has so far performed 18 POEM procedures, with patients showing significant improvement in swallowing and related symptoms.
Achalasia Cardia is a condition marked by difficulty in swallowing, regurgitation of food, vomiting, and weight loss. It occurs due to abnormal tightening of the muscles of the oesophagus, which prevents food from passing smoothly into the stomach.
POEM is a minimally invasive endoscopic technique in which doctors cut the inner muscle layer of the oesophagus using an endoscope, relieving the obstruction without external surgical incisions.
Advantages over conventional surgery
Medical experts note that POEM offers several advantages compared to traditional surgical methods, including:
- No external cuts or scars
- Reduced post-procedure pain
- Shorter hospital stay
- Faster recovery time
Because of the specialised nature of the procedure, patients from Assam and other Northeastern states were earlier referred to metropolitan centres outside the region.
Boost to advanced care in the Northeast
Hospital officials said the availability of POEM in Guwahati is expected to significantly reduce the burden on patients who previously had to travel long distances for treatment.
Speaking on the development, Dr Roshan Agarwala said the achievement reflects Apollo’s commitment to expanding advanced care locally.
“Our goal is not only to treat diseases, but to ensure that patients across Assam and nearby states receive the most advanced, safe, and minimally invasive therapies available all across the world,” he said.
Other advanced endoscopic services
Apollo Hospitals Guwahati stated that its gastroenterology department also offers a range of advanced endoscopic procedures, including:
- Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
- Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
- Cholangioscopy-guided interventions
Officials said these services strengthen Guwahati’s position as a growing hub for tertiary and quaternary medical care in the Northeast.
Why this matters
The successful introduction of POEM in Guwahati marks a significant step in regional healthcare self-reliance, improving access to cutting-edge gastrointestinal treatments and reducing dependency on out-of-state referrals for complex procedures.
What happens next
Hospital authorities said they plan to continue expanding specialised gastroenterology services while training teams to handle complex cases, ensuring wider access to advanced treatments for patients across Assam and neighbouring states.
Frequently Asked Questions
POEM is used to treat Achalasia Cardia, a disorder that causes difficulty in swallowing due to abnormal oesophageal muscle tightening.
This is the first reported POEM procedure in Northeast India, enabling patients to receive advanced treatment locally instead of traveling to metropolitan cities.
