Management of the Zenker diverticulum: multicenter retrospective comparative study of open surgery and rigid endoscopy versus flexible endoscopy.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM: Zenker's diverticulum is a rare disease that affects quality of life due to dysphagia and regurgitation. This condition can be treated by various surgical or endoscopic methods. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Patients treated for Zenker's diverticulum in three centers in the south of France between 2014 and 2019 were included. The primary objective was clinical efficacy. Secondary objectives were technical success, morbidities, recurrences, and need for a new procedure. RESULTS: One hundred forty-four patients with a total of one hundred sixty-five procedures performed were included. A significant difference was found between the different groups in terms of clinical success (97% for open surgery versus 79% for rigid endoscopy versus 90% for flexible endoscopy, p = 0.009). Technical failure occurred more frequently in the rigid endoscopy group than in the flexible endoscopy and surgical groups (p = 0.014). Median procedure duration, median time to resumption of feeding, and hospital discharge were statistically shorter for endoscopies than for open surgery. On the other hand, more recurrences occurred in patients treated by endoscopy than those treated by surgery, and more reinterventions were required. CONCLUSION: Flexible endoscopy appears to be as effective and safe as open surgery in the treatment of Zenker's diverticulum. Endoscopy allows a shorter hospital stay at the expense of a higher risk of recurrence of symptoms. It could be used as an alternative to open surgery for the treatment of Zenker's diverticulum, especially in frail patients.

Zenker diverticulum treatment: retrospective comparison of flexible endoscopic window technique and surgical approaches.

INTRODUCTION: Different treatments exist for Zenker diverticulum. We compared flexible endoscopic myotomy of the cricopharyngeal muscle, using a technique called the "window technique" in order to improve the field of view, to surgical approaches. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were retrospectively included and divided into a gastrointestinal group, with flexible endoscopic myotomy, and an ear-nose-throat treatments group with either rigid endoscopic treatment, either cervicotomy. We evaluated effectiveness in terms of quality of life (on a scale on 0 to 10) safety and technical aspects of each procedure. RESULTS: A total 106 patients who underwent 128 interventions were included. Rigid endoscopic procedures were the shortest (p < 0.001), with no difference for adverse event. Endoscopic approaches, flexible and rigid ones, were associated with shorter time to intake resumption (1 and 3 days, respectively, vs 6 after cervicotomy) and shorter length of hospital stay (3 and 4 days, respectively, vs 7 after cervicotomy) (p = 0.001). Post-operative QoL was better after flexible endoscopy (9/10) and open cervicotomy (9/10) than after rigid endoscopy (7/10) (p = 0.004). Patients declared fewer residual symptoms after open cervicotomy (77% of low symptomatic patients) and flexible endoscopy (80%) than after rigid endoscopy (43%) (p = 0.003). Conversion to open surgery was more frequent during rigid than flexible endoscopies (18% vs 0%, p = 0.0008). CONCLUSION: Flexible endoscopic approach of Zenker diverticulum treatment seems to be safe and effective and may be an alternative to surgical approaches. Myotomy can be eventually helped by the window technique.

Therapeutic intervention in oropharyngeal dysphagia.

Oropharyngeal dysphagia is a frequent consequence of several medical aetiologies, and even considered part of the normal ageing process. Early and accurate identification provides the opportunity for early implementation of dysphagia treatments. This Review describes the current state of the evidence related to dysphagia therapies - focusing on treatments most clinically utilized and of current interest to researchers. Despite successes in select studies, the level of evidence to support the efficacy of these treatments remains limited. Heterogeneity exists across studies in both how interventions are administered and how their therapeutic value is assessed, thereby making it difficult to establish external validation. Future work needs to address these caveats. Also, to be most efficacious, dysphagia therapies need to account for influences from pre-morbid patient characteristics as these factors have potential to increase the risk of dysphagia and the resulting complications of aspiration, malnutrition and psychological burden. Dysphagia therapies therefore need to incorporate the medical aetiology that is at its root, the resulting swallow physiology captured from comprehensive clinical and/or instrumental assessments, and the existing needs and supports of patients.

Transoral diverticulostomy with a modified Endo-Gia stapler: results after 4 years of experience.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of Zenker's diverticulum is low (2/100,000). Standard surgical treatment is cricopharyngeal myotomy with diverticulectomy. Various minimally invasive surgical approaches pursued recently have treated Zenker's diverticulum adequately. The functional minimally invasive therapy is performed alternatively using an Endo-Gia stapler inserted transorally to perform an esophageal diverticulostomia, or using thermal coagulation applied by a carbon dioxide (CO2) or argon plasma laser. The key to a successful procedure is adequate exposure of the diverticulum by insertion of a pharynx spreader before the surgery. METHODS: Since 1996, 31 patients who underwent minimally invasive diverticulostomies performed in our clinic have been included prospectively in the current study. All the patients were examined endoscopically before and after surgery. Furthermore, the intraesophageal and intragastric pressure was examined by transesophageal manometry, and the pH in the esophagus and stomach was determined by pH-metry. A barium swallow was performed to exclude leakage at the stapler suture line as proof of sufficient anastomoses. Manometry showed that the upper esophageal sphincter functioned normally before and after surgery. The results were compared with those of patients undergoing conventional procedures. RESULTS: The median follow-up period after resection of the diverticulum was 46 months. Both the Gastrointestinal Quality-of-Life Index (GQLI) (p < 0.001) and the modified dysphagia score (GHDS) increased significantly, indicating that the operations were successful. The minimally invasive procedure is faster than cricopharyngeal myotomy and significantly safer. It is better tolerated by patients, and they are discharged earlier. CONCLUSION: Transoral esophagodiverticulosomy has become the standard procedure for Zenker's diverticulum in the authors' department. The endoscopic minimally invasive approach proved to be safer than standard surgical procedures. It offers a significantly shorter operation time and postoperative hospital stay (p < 0.001).

[The surgical treatment of Zenker's diverticula by stapler diverticulectomy and myotomy under local anesthesia]. / Trattamento chirurgico dei diverticoli di Zenker mediante diverticolectomia meccanica e miotomia, in anestesia locale.

From 1990 to 1997, 12 patients with Zenker's diverticulum underwent TA 30-stapler diverticulectomy and cricopharyngeal myotomy. All patients were operated on under local anaesthesia. No death was observed. In two cases subcutaneous infection was drained with recovery. No post-operative fistulas were observed with radiologic control. At 6 months follow-up all patients were well. Advantages of both stapler diverticulectomy and local anesthesia are outlined.

Experiencia en el manejo de divertículos esofágicos / Experience in the management of the esophageal diverticula

Antecedentes: la falta de coordinación en la relajación del esfínter esofágico superior e inferior, produce aumento de la presión intraluminal y protrusión de la mucosa con la formación de diverticulos. Métodos: se revisaron los expedientes de pacientes con diagnóstico de diverticulos esofágicos durante 1987 a 1997. Se realizó análisis del cuadro clínico, el tiempo de evolución, los métodos diagnósticos, las enfermedades asociadas, el tratamiento y las complicaciones. Resultados: se estudiaron siete mujeres y dos hombres con edad promedio de 62 años. La disfagia y la regurgitación fueron lo síntomas más frecuentes. A todos se les realizó esofagograma y endoscopia. Fueron localizados seis divertículos en tercio superior, uno en tercio medio y dos en el inferior. Estos dos últimos con imagen de acalasia, por lo que se les tomó manometría que corroboró el diagnóstico. Cinco pacientes sometidos a diverticulectomía más miotomía, uno a septumplastia endoscópica y dos se trataron con la funduplicatura y miotomía tipo Heller. Ningún paciente falleció secundario al procedimiento. Conclusiones: el divertículo faringoesofágico es el más frecuente. El esofagograma es el estudio diagnóstico más específico. El tratamiento debe ser quirúrgico en pacientes sintomáticos

Diagnostic and treatment of Zenker's diverticulum: review of our series pharyngo-esophageal diverticula.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Clinical aspects and preneoplastic potential of Zenker's diverticulum justify its surgery. The clinical signs of the patients and the size of the diverticulum determine the surgical technique. METHODOLOGY: Between January 1974 and December 1995, 32 patients underwent surgery in our department. In order to compare the surgical technique, we divided the patients into 3 groups: group A (cricopharyngeus myotomy: 15 patients (46.9%)), group B (myotomy with diverticulectomy: 15 patients (46.9%)) and group C (myotomy with diverticulopexy: 2 patients (6.7%)). The chi-square test was used for statistical analysis, p < 0.05. RESULTS: Local or regional anaesthesia was used in 7 patients from group A (46.6%); 5 patients from group B (33.3%) and all the patients from group C (100%). General anaesthesia was used in 8 patients from group A (53.4%), 10 patients from group B (66.7%) and 0 patients from group C (0%). The overall mortality was 0%. The mean postoperative stay in group A was 6 +/- 2 days (3-10 days); in group B was 11.6 +/- 6.4 days (5-25 days) and in group C was 3.5 +/- 0.7 days (3-4 days). The mean postoperative stay in patients with local or regional anaesthesia was 5.3 +/- 1.6 days (3-9 days) and in patients with general anaesthesia, 10.9 +/- 6.1 days (4-25 days). No statistically significant difference was found between the anaesthetic technique and the surgical technique (p = 0.193), between the surgical technique and the mean postoperative stay (p = 0.596) and between the anaesthetic technique and the mean postoperative stay (p = 0.166). CONCLUSIONS: Cricopharyngeus myotomy is the main surgical technique, however, in diverticula longer than 3 cm of diameter it is mandatory to associate diverticulectomy. Diverticulopexy is indicated in patients of advanced age with a high surgical risk. Local or regional anaesthesia facilitates the identification of the diverticulum intraoperatively and reduce the mean postoperative stay, however, there is no statistical significant difference.

Tratamiento quirúrgico del divertículo farinfoesofágico de Zenker / Surgical treatment of Zenker's diverticulum

Antecedentes: Existen diversas modalidades de tratamiento quirúrgico, lo cual es motivo de controversia. Objetivo: Analizar los resultados del tratamiento quirúrgico del divertículo faringoesofágico o de Zenker. Método: Se revisaron en forma retrospectiva los expedientes de los pacientes sometidos al tratamiento quirúrgico del divertículo analizándose las características demográficas y clínicas las indicaciones los procedimientos morbilidad y mortalidad operatorias y los resultados. Resultados: Se reunieron 15 pacientes, 12 hombres y 3 mujeres con edad promedio de 68 años todos tenían disfagia el 93 por ciento regurgitaciones y el 60 por ciento tos, aunque sólo en la mitad de estos últimos se documentó broncoaspiración. El diagnóstico se hizo con el esofagograma y el 60 por ciento tenían alteración cardiopulmonar asociada. En todos los pacientes se realizó miotomía del cricofaríngeo y se acompaño en el 60 por ciento de diverticulopexia y en el 40 por ciento restante de diverticulectomía sólo se perforó la mucosa en una ocasión pero hubo 3 fístulas (20 por ciento) siendo esto más frecuente después de la diverticulectomía (33 por ciento vs. 11 por ciento). Como complicación mayor sólo se presentó infarto agudo del miocardio en 1 paciente (11 por ciento); no hubo fallecimientos. Se logró la eliminación de los síntomas en 14 pacientes (93.3 por ciento) y el restante sólo refirió disfagia leve con un seguimiento que osciló entre 1 y 6 años. Conclusiones: El tratamiento quirúrgico del divertículo de Zenker está indicado en los pacientes sintomáticos; el esofagograma es el mejor método diagnóstico. Es básico efectuar la miotomía del cricofaríngeo que se puede acompañar de invaginación diverticulectomía o diverticulopexia dependiendo de las características del divertículo y del paciente; sus resultados son buenos en más del 90 por ciento de los pacientes con morbilidad baja y mortalidad nula.

Meditation on the pathogenesis of hypopharyngeal (Zenker's) diverticulum and a report of endoscopic treatment in 545 patients.

Much discussion in the literature concerning Zenker's diverticulum is related to etiology. Various theories have been propounded, but no single conclusion is generally accepted. We believe that an anatomic predisposition plays a prominent role. Considerations for this conclusion will be discussed. In the otorhinolaryngology departments of University Hospital and Martini Hospital (Groningen, the Netherlands) 545 patients with a diverticulum were treated endoscopically since 1964. Initially we used the procedure described by Dohlman. With the increase in the number of patients, the technique and instruments used have improved. In 1981 we started to apply a microendoscopic procedure with a special double-lipped scope and the carbon dioxide laser. The rate of complications was very low, and 91% of the patients are highly satisfied. In view of our results, we feel justified in maintaining that endoscopic treatment is a relatively safe and effective method.

Treatment of Zenker's diverticula by cricopharyngeus myotomy under local anesthesia.

Optimum surgical management of the hypopharyngeal diverticulum is controversial. The authors discuss 48 consecutive patients (average age 72.1 years) with documented hypopharyngeal diverticula who were treated by cricopharyngeus myotomy, leaving the diverticula in situ. All came to the hospital with dysphagia; other symptoms included postdeglutitive cough, regurgitation, aspiration, and weight loss. Seven patients had had previous surgery for a Zenker's diverticulum with recurrence. Aspiration pneumonia was treated in 9 patients; 28 patients had concurrent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or cardiovascular disease. Thirty-nine patients had cricopharyngeus myotomy under local anesthesia, 5 had cricopharyngeus myotomy under general endotracheal anesthesia, and 4 patients underwent myotomy with a cervical esophagostomy. There was one mortality (2.1%) and no incidence of postoperative bleeding, sepsis, or cranial nerve injury. Follow-up was done with 30 patients via telephone an average of 64 months after operation. Twenty-one of 30 patients reported excellent relief of symptoms, 5 reported improvement with occasional symptoms, and 4 patients described persistent dysphagia. Cricopharyngeus myotomy under local anesthetic is a safe and effective approach to the patient with a hypopharyngeal diverticulum. The awake patient can swallow on command, which enables the surgeon to identify the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) and to perform an accurate, complete myotomy. The absence of a pharyngeal suture line eliminates the risk of leakage and mediastinal sepsis, and allows early, postoperative feeding and discharge.