Laparoscopic approach in the treatment of large epiphrenic esophageal diverticulum

Robotic-Assisted Transthoracic Esophageal Diverticulectomy

Introduction

Esophageal diverticulum is a rare entity with symptoms that include dysphagia, halitosis, chest pain, and regurgitation. Indications for surgery include the presence of any of these symptoms and a diverticulum larger than 3 cm because of the increased risk of malignancy and aspiration. Treatment is open or minimally invasive surgery performed from the transhiatal or transthoracic approach.

Case Description

Three patients were investigated by esophagogastroduodenoscopy, esophageal manometry, and computed tomography and were given the diagnosis of epiphrenic diverticulum of the esophagus.

Management and Outcome

The patients underwent robot-assisted surgery by a transthoracic approach for esophageal diverticulectomy. The mean operative time was 211 min, with no significant blood loss or intraoperative complications.

Discussion

This report of robot-assisted surgery for esophageal diverticulectomy from a transthoracic approach adds to the literature regarding surgical treatment of epiphrenic esophageal diverticulum. It is a feasible method that can be used in selected patients with esophageal diverticulum.

Giant esophageal epiphrenic diverticulum: presentation and treatment

Epiphrenic diverticulum is a rare disease associated with esophageal motor disorders that is usually asymptomatic and has a well-established surgical indication. We report a case of giant epiphrenic diverticulum in a 59-year-old symptomatic woman who was diagnosed after underwent complementary exams. Because of her symptoms, the surgical treatment was chosen, and esophageal diverticulectomy was performed along with laparoscopic cardiomyotomy and anterior partial fundoplication.

Single-port video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for a huge epiphrenic esophageal diverticulum

Epiphrenic esophageal diverticulum is uncommon disease, which is defined as the herniation of the mucosa and submucosa through the muscle layers of the esophageal wall in distal third of the esophagus. Traditionally, thoracotomy has been the preferred surgical approach. Recently, many surgeons have attempted minimally invasive surgeries for epiphrenic esophageal diverticula. They reported that minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for epiphrenic esophageal diverticula was a safe and feasible approach which had many advantages. There are various options of surgical approaches for MIS of epiphrenic diverticula. However, the best surgical approach remains uncertain. We report the case of a huge epiphrenic esophageal diverticulum, which was successfully treated by single-port video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).