title: [Endoscopic treatment of Zenker's diverticulum].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We report our experience in the endoscopic (flexible) treatment of Zenker's diverticulum.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three patients with medium-sized Zenker's diverticula were treated by endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy with a modified needle-knife sphincterotome through a therapeutic gastroscope. The procedure was performed in the digestive endoscopy unit under conscious sedation without anesthetic support.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy was completed in a single session without immediate or late complications. In all three patients dysphagia disappeared and all were discharged at 48 hours with a solid diet. After 12, 18 and 17 months of follow-up there has been no recurrence of dysphagia or other symptoms attributable to Zenker's diverticulum.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Flexible endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy is a simple, effective and safe treatment of Zenker's diverticulum that avoids the need for open cervical surgery and general anesthesia.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Endoscopia Digestiva, Hospital de la Zarzuela, Madrid, Spain. medicinainterna.hlz@sanitas.es
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: de la Morena
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pérez-Arellano
authors.forename: Ramiro
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Carreño
authors.forename: Esperanza
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tomás
authors.forename: Yago
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: González-Lama
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005773:Gastroscopy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016672:Zenker Diverticulum / Q000601:surgery*