Woman takes first bite of solid food in a decade, thanks to surgery in Dubai

She had been struggling with eating, drinking, and sleeping due to a rare condition

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2 MIN READ
Doctors at the Medcare Royal Specialty Hospital in Al Qusais durimg the minimally invasive procedure
Doctors at the Medcare Royal Specialty Hospital in Al Qusais durimg the minimally invasive procedure
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Dubai: It has taken more than a decade for a 59-year-old Sudanese woman with achalasia, a rare oesophageal disorder, to regain her ability to eat and drink comfortably and sleep lying down.

Three months ago, a minimally invasive procedure called Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) performed at Medcare Royal Specialty Hospital in Al Qusais changed her life.

For years, the patient struggled with severe swallowing difficulties, chest pain, regurgitation, and significant weight loss. She was compelled to sleep in an upright position to prevent severe regurgitation during the night.

Misdiagnosed with GERD repeatedly, she underwent ineffective treatments. “It became really bad,” she said.

“We often underestimate how crucial it is to be able to swallow properly. My chest pain and cough were so severe that I avoided eating and drinking, which caused significant weight loss and malnutrition. I felt nervous all the time, avoided social gatherings, and couldn’t figure out what was wrong with me”.

In November 2024, worsening symptoms led her to Dr Mohamed Abdelhafez, a consultant gastroenterologist at Medcare Royal. Using advanced diagnostics like oesophageal manometry and high-resolution endoscopy, he accurately diagnosed achalasia, a condition caused by the inability of the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) to relax.

“Because of overlapping symptoms like swallowing difficulty, chest discomfort, and regurgitation, achalasia is often misdiagnosed as GERD,” Dr. Abdelhafez explained. “However, advanced diagnostic techniques such as manometry and endoscopic evaluation are crucial in distinguishing these conditions.”

POEM provides immediate and long-lasting relief, Dr Abdelhafez said. POEM addresses achalasia’s root cause — failure of the LES to relax. During the procedure, an endoscope (a flexible tube equipped with a camera) is inserted through the mouth. Through precise dissection and myotomy (cutting of the spastic LES muscle), the procedure restores normal oesophageal function without the need for open surgery.

“The minimally invasive nature of the procedure allows for a faster recovery and fewer complications compared to traditional surgical methods. However, it requires the expertise of a multidisciplinary team, including gastroenterologists, anaesthesiologists, specialised nurses, and post-procedure rehabilitation support like speech and swallowing therapy.”

Following the procedure, the patient experienced remarkable improvements. For the first time in 10 years, she could eat solid foods, drink liquids, and sleep lying down without fear of regurgitation.

“After 10 years of suffering, my life has changed completely,” she shared. “Being able to eat, drink, and sleep comfortably feels like a miracle.”

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