Laparoscopic approach in the treatment of epiphrenic diverticula: long-term results.
BACKGROUND
Thoracotomy represents the traditional surgical approach for the treatment of epiphrenic diverticula. A mini-invasive procedure has been reported in only few series. This article describes the authors experience with the laparoscopic approach for performing diverticulectomy, myotomy and Nissen-Rossetti fundoplication.


METHODS
From 1994 to 2002, 13 patients (6 men and 7 women), mean age 57 years (range 45-71 years), with symptomatic epiphrenic diverticulum underwent laparoscopic diverticulectomy, myotomy, and Nissen-Rossetti fundoplication.


RESULTS
The mean operative time was 145 min (range 110-180 min). No operative mortality was observed. The mean hospital stay was 13.9 days (range 7-25 years). The first three patients (23.1%) who underwent surgery experienced a partial disruption of the suture staple line. One patient (7.7%) died of a myocardial infarction. After a mean clinical follow-up period of 58 months (range 3-96 months), all the patients were symptom free.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic management of epiphrenic diverticula seems to be as safe and effective as the traditional approach, although a longer follow-up period is necessary to confirm the study results.
Del Genio
A
A
First Division of General and Gastrointestinal Surgery, Second University of Naples, Via Pansini, 5 80131 Naples, Italy.
Rossetti
G
G
Maffetton
V
V
Renzi
A
A
Brusciano
L
L
Limongelli
P
P
Cuttitta
D
D
Russo
G
G
Del Genio
G
G
D000368:Aged; D004936:Diverticulum, Esophageal / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D018662:Fundoplication; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged