Endoscopic treatment of Zenker's diverticulum

ASSESSMENT OF MECHANICAL AND MANUAL SUTURE IN THE SURGICAL TREATMENT OF THE PHARYNGOESOPHAGEAL DIVERTICULUM

BACKGROUND

The occurrence of the pharyngoesophageal, or Zenker diverticulum is not frequent in the national scenario, and the technique of the diverticulectomy with cricomyotomy in medium and great dimension diverticula is still the most indicated. Because the resection of the diverticulum requires the suture of the pharynx, dehiscence can occur, thereafter delaying swallowing. Hence, the idea is to accomplish this surgical procedure, comparing the manual and mechanical suture, in order to evaluate the real benefit of the mechanical technique.

AIM

To evaluate the results of the pharyngoesophageal diverticulectomy with cricomyotomy using manual and mechanical suture with regard to local and systemic complications.

METHOD

Fifty-seven patients with pharyngoesophageal diverticula diagnosed through high digestive endoscopy and pharyngeal esophagogram were studied. The applied surgical technique was diverticulectomy with myotomy of the cricopharyngeal muscle, done in 24 patients (42.2%) the mechanical suture (group A) with the mechanical linear suture device and in 33 (57.8%) a manual closure of the pharynx (group B).

RESULTS

In the postoperative period, one patient of group A (4.1%) presented fistula caused by dehiscence of the pharyngeal suture, and three of group B (15.1%) presented the same complication, with a good outcome using a conservative treatment. In the same group, three patients (9.0%) presented stenosis of the suture of the pharynx, with good outcome and with endoscopic dilatations, and no patient from group A presented such complication. Lung infection was present in five patients, being two (8.3%) of group A and three (9.0%) on B, having good outcomes after specific treatment. In the late review, done with 43 patients (94.4%) of group A and 22 (88.0%) on B, the patients declared to be pleased with the surgical procedure, because they were able to regain normal swallowing.

CONCLUSION

The diverticulectomy with myotomy and pharyngeal closure using mechanical suture was proven appropriate, for having restored regular swallowing in most of the patients, and the mechanical closure of the pharynx proved to be more effective in comparison to the manual one, because it provided a lower index of local post-surgical complications.

Pulsion Diverticulum of the Oesophagus: More than just an Out Pouch

Oesophageal diverticulum is divided into two types based on the aetiology: the pulsion and the traction diverticula. Pulsion diverticulum occurs due to increased intraluminal pressure. This can be of three types based on the location along the oesophagus: the Zenker's diverticulum (ZD), the mid-oesophageal diverticulum (MD) and the epiphrenic diverticulum (ED). A PubMed search was conducted for the words 'pulsion', 'diverticulum' and 'oesophagus' for all studies published from January 1980 to March 2013 in the English language. A total of 31 studies were identified, and out of which, five were not included in the review. The pulsion diverticulum of the oesophagus is an uncommon disorder. Its aetiology is related to the motility disorders of the oesophagus. Patients usually present with chest-related symptoms or oesophageal symptoms, which are related to the underlying motility disorder. Evaluation includes barium studies, gastrointestinal endoscopy, CT scan and oesophageal manometry. Surgery is the treatment of choice for symptomatic and large diverticula, although the outcome in asymptomatic patients is unknown. The surgical options include diverticulectomy or diverticulopexy with an adequate myotomy. Most patients with ZD are now treated by using endoscopic techniques, although no randomised trial has shown its superiority over the open technique. Minimally invasive surgery has also been used for patients with MD and ED. Although isolated case series has shown good improvement in symptoms and reduction in mortality with minimally invasive techniques in patients with ED, its role in thoracic oesophageal diverticulum is debated.

Pharyngoesophageal diverticulum surgical therapy using linear stapling device

BACKGROUND

Pharyngoesophageal diverticulum presents itself as an uncommon disorder. Thus, choosing the most effective treatment method may be challenging. Surgical treatment remains as the main option. However, establishing the best surgical technique is still controversial.

AIM

To evaluate the results of diverticulecomy with chricopharyngeal miotomy and linear stapler closure of the pharynx in a patient sample with Zenker`s diverticulum regarding local and systemic complications.

METHODS

Nineteen patients with pharyngoesophageal diverticulum were admitted. All of them presented the clinical conditions required to indicate the surgical procedure. Patients were evaluated with regard to any post-operative complications. This study was conducted retrospectively with patients' data analysis.

RESULTS

Patients showed satisfactory results, with no evidence of fistula at the level of the pharyngeal suture. Two out of 19 lost post-operative follow-up and one of them had pharyngeal stenosis reverted with endoscopic dilation. The entire sample reported being satisfied with the procedure emphasizing improvement of the quality of life mainly due to the return of physiological deglutition.

CONCLUSION

The diverticulectomy with myotomy and posterior pharyngeal closure with linear surgical stapler proved to be an effective technique, offering a lower risk of post-operative complications and improving the overall quality of life.

Flexible endoscopic management of Zenker diverticulum: the Mayo Clinic experience

OBJECTIVE

To describe the outcome of patients undergoing flexible endoscopic therapy for symptomatic Zenker diverticulum.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated the outcome of 22 consecutive patients who underwent flexible endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy using needle-knife electrocautery performed by a single endoscopist from March 2006 through January 2010.

RESULTS

Of the 22 patients with symptomatic Zenker diverticulum, 13 were men and 9 were women (median age, 84.5 years). Moderate sedation was used in all but 3 (14%) of the patients. Postprocedural free air occurred in 6 patients (27%) and resolved uneventfully in all. Another patient developed a neck abscess 1 week after endoscopic treatment, which was surgically drained. All procedures were performed on an outpatient basis, although 8 patients (36%) required subsequent hospitalization. The mean (SD) length of stay in the hospital was 2.9 (1.64) days. All patients had initial symptomatic improvement, and 18 (82%) maintained improvement at a mean (SD) follow-up of 12.7 (9.2) months.

CONCLUSION

Flexible endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy is an effective treatment of symptomatic Zenker diverticulum, with low recurrence rates and with the benefit of no general anesthesia and hospitalization in most cases. Esophageal perforation is the most common procedural complication.

Tratamento cirúrgico do divertículo de Zenker

RACIONAL: O tratamento cirúrgico do divertículo de Zenker inclui na maioria dos casos a cricomiotomia do músculo cricofaríngeo, a qual pode ser associada à diverticulopexia ou diverticulectomia. A escolha destas opções cirúrgicas ainda é controversa. OBJETIVO: Avaliar os resultados de dois tratamentos cirúrgicos (diverticulopexia ou diverticulectomia, ambos associados à cricomiotomia) em uma série de casos. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo em período de 10 anos de 26 pacientes submetidos ao tratamento cirúrgico do divertículo de Zenker. Para análise estatística, os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos: Grupo 1 - diverticulectomia (n=17) e Grupo 2 - diverticulopexia (n=9). Em todos realizou-se miotomia. Foram avaliadas as variáveis: tempo cirúrgico, de internação e de início da alimentação via oral, complicações gerais, ocorrência de fístulas, recidiva dos sintomas e mortalidade. Consideraram-se diferenças significativas quando P<0.05. RESULTADOS: A idade média dos pacientes foi de 64 anos. Sintomas pré-operatórios principais: disfagia (91%) e regurgitação (46%). Todos foram investigados com estudo radiográfico contrastado de faringe-esôfago-estômago e 58% dos casos com endoscopia digestiva alta. Não houve diferença significativa entre os Grupos 1 e 2 em relação ao tempo operatório (96 x 99 min), tempo de internação (5,5 x 5 dias), início da alimentação via oral (7,5 x 4 dias), ocorrência de fístulas esôfago-cutâneas (35 x 22%), recidiva da disfagia (6 x 11%), complicações pós-operatórias em geral (41 x 33%) e tempo de seguimento (7,5 x 9 meses). A mortalidade foi nula. CONCLUSÃO: O tratamento cirúrgico do divertículo de Zenker é método terapêutico relativamente seguro, com morbidade aceitável e seus resultados independem da opção por ressecção ou pexia do divertículo.

Flexible endoscopic clip-assisted Zenker's diverticulotomy: the first case series (with videos)

BACKGROUND

In treating Zenker's diverticulum (ZD), there are potential risks associated with performing flexible endoscopic diverticulotomy without suturing or stapling. We recently introduced flexible endoscopic clip-assisted diverticulotomy (ECD) in treating ZD by securing the septum prior to dissection.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the feasibility and safety of ECD for complete septum dissection.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series at an academic center. Seven consecutive patients (mean age 71 y; range 48-91 y) with symptomatic ZD of various craniocaudal sizes based on radiographic measurements (mean 2.6 cm; range 0.8 cm-4.5 cm) were included. The mean depth of the septum was 1.73 cm (range 0.3 cm-3.1 cm). The mean duration of symptoms was 4.8 years (range 0.5-10 y).

METHODS

After endoclips were placed on either side of the cricopharyngeal bar, the septum was dissected between these two clips down to the inferior end of the diverticulum with a needle-knife. Procedures including "one-step ECD" (n = 1), "stepwise ECD" (n = 3), and "bottom ECD" (n = 2) were performed based on the septum depth of the ZD during endoscopy. ECD was not performed on one patient due to severe mucosal fragility of the esophageal inlet. Iatrogenic blunt dissection of the septum by the endoscopic hood occurred secondary to patient retching during the procedure. Main outcome measurements were symptom resolution and complications.

RESULTS

All patients (n = 6) who underwent ECD had complete resolution of esophageal symptoms at a minimum 6-month follow-up. There were no procedural complications. The patient who did not undergo ECD developed an esophageal perforation. She was managed conservatively without surgical intervention. On follow-up, her dysphagia was completely resolved.

CONCLUSIONS

ECD is feasible, safe, and effective for complete septum dissection. ECD and endoscopic stapler-assisted diverticulotomy are complimentary rather than competing strategies in approaching ZD. Study limitations include the case series design and limited follow-up period.

Zenker's diverticula: pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and flexible endoscopic management

Zenker's diverticulum (ZD) is the most common type of diverticulum in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Most patients are elderly and present with symptoms of dysphagia. Serious complications include aspiration and malnutrition. The most common treatments are open surgical diverticulectomy with or without cricopharyngeal myotomy and rigid endoscopic myotomy. Recently, cricopharyngeal myotomy using flexible endoscopes has been described as a treatment option for symptomatic ZD. In this article we describe the pathophysiology, clinical presentation and review the techniques and outcome following flexible endoscopic management of Zenker's diverticulum.