Centres of Excellence
For the first time in Saudi Arabia, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSH) in Riyadh has successfully implemented advanced Endoluminal Functional Lumen Imaging Probe (ENDOFLIP) technology to enhance the precision of achalasia treatment through peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM). The technology enables physicians to obtain real-time measurements of lower esophageal sphincter opening and relaxation during the procedure, allowing immediate confirmation of treatment effectiveness before completing the intervention. This contributes to improved clinical outcomes and helps patients restore swallowing function more effectively.
Achalasia is a rare disorder affecting the nerves and muscles responsible for moving food from the esophagus to the stomach, preventing the lower esophageal sphincter from relaxing normally during swallowing. The condition progressively causes difficulty eating and drinking, food regurgitation, chest pain, weight loss, and significant long-term impacts on quality of life. During POEM, muscle fibers in the lower esophageal sphincter are carefully divided to improve relaxation and facilitate the passage of food into the stomach, helping relieve symptoms associated with the condition.
Traditionally, assessing the adequacy of the myotomy during POEM relied heavily on the endoscopist’s expertise and intraoperative judgment, which could leave room for persistent symptoms or the need for additional therapeutic interventions. The newly implemented technology introduces a more precise standard for confirming optimal treatment outcomes during the initial intervention and supports more tailored myotomy based on objective real-time data obtained throughout the procedure.
This milestone reflects KFSH’s ongoing efforts to advance the care of gastrointestinal and esophageal disorders through technologies based on real-time measurement and precision-guided intervention. By supporting more objective and personalized therapeutic decision-making during procedures, these innovations contribute to enhancing treatment experience and improving patients’ quality of life.
King Faisal Specialist Hospital has been ranked first in the Middle East and North Africa and 12th globally among the world’s top 250 Academic Medical Centers for 2026 and recognized as the most valuable healthcare brand in the Kingdom and the Middle East according to Brand Finance 2026. It has also been listed by Newsweek among the World’s Best Hospitals 2026, the World’s Best Smart Hospitals 2026, and the World’s Best Specialized Hospitals 2026.