Endoscopic staple diverticulostomy for recurrent Zenker's diverticulum.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the technical feasibility, effectiveness, and morbidity of using endoscopic staple diverticulostomy (ESD) as treatment for Zenker's diverticulum (ZD) recurring after either prior endoscopic treatment or external diverticulectomy or diverticulopexy.


METHODS
A retrospective review of a case series of 18 patients with recurrent ZD.


METHODS
All patients cared for with ZD were evaluated to identify those patients with recurrent ZD. The clinical records of patients with recurrent ZD were reviewed for: demographics, prior treatment, time to recurrence, factors associated with recurrence, technical feasibility of treatment, complications, effectiveness and duration of symptom relief.


RESULTS
Between March 1995 and July 2001, a total of 127 consecutive patients with ZD received care. Eighteen of these patients were treated for recurrent ZD: nine treated originally by ESD, and nine by external approach (seven by diverticulectomy and two by diverticulopexy), with three of these patients treated twice. Seventeen patients had partial or complete relief of symptoms after their initial treatment, with recurrence of symptoms noted 0 to 60 months later. Specific factors associated with recurrence of symptoms were identified in only one patient. Treatment of recurrent ZD by ESD was technically feasible in 16 of the patients. Complete or improved symptom relief has been reported by 16 of the patients after revision ESD, with follow-up from 9 to 69 months. No significant treatment complications occurred. Fifteen patients resumed clear liquid diet on the day of surgery, and one on the day after surgery. All patients were discharged from the hospital by the second postoperative day (mean = 0.6 d).


CONCLUSIONS
ESD is an effective, technically feasible, and safe treatment for patients with ZD recurring after prior endoscopic or external treatment, and it should be the initial treatment of choice for these patients.
Scher
Richard L
RL
Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA. scher005@mc.duke.edu
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D004945:Esophagoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017792:Surgical Stapling; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016672:Zenker Diverticulum / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*