Endoscopic treatment of Zenker's diverticulum using CO2 laser.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the present study was to review the technique of endoscopic laser-assisted esophagodiverticulostomy (ELAED) for the treatment of Zenker's diverticulum.


METHODS
We reviewed 83 cases of ELAED performed for the treatment of Zenker's diverticuli during the past decade.


RESULTS
ELAED-treated patients had a reduced hospital stay and were able to start an oral diet earlier than were patients who underwent other surgical procedures. Two (2.4%) of our patients developed small fistulas, which closed spontaneously. An additional 2 (2.4%) of our patients required conversion to an open approach due to inadequate endoscopic exposure, and 5 (6%) required a revision endoscopic procedure for persistent symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Our series of 83 patients treated at 2 large academic centers during the past decade with an average follow-up of 4 years demonstrates that ELAED is a safe and effective procedure for the management of Zenker's diverticulum.
Krespi
Y
Y
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, St Luke's/Roosevelt Hospital, New York, NY 10019, USA. hnsg@aol.com
Kacker
A
A
Remacle
M
M
D001530:Belgium; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D004945:Esophagoscopy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States; D016672:Zenker Diverticulum / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*
D002245:Carbon Dioxide