title: Microlaryngoscopic repair of iatrogenic pharyngeal pouch perforations: treatment of choice?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Endoscopic stapled diverticulostomy (ESD) has become the preferred technique for managing pharyngeal pouches. Iatrogenic perforation, created during stapling, is a rare but serious complication with significant morbidity and mortality. The conventional management in these instances is to convert it to an external procedure and excise the pouch.
  
  
  METHODS
  Iatrogenic perforations were noticed after stapling in 3 cases in our series of 73 patients who underwent ESD. They were repaired using microlaryngoscopic techniques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients had an unremarkable postoperative course.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Selected cases with iatrogenic perforations can be repaired primarily and observed with excellent outcome, obviating the need for an external pouch excision.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7DN, UK. vinidh.paleri@nuth.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Vinidh
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Paleri
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Najim
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Meikle
authors.forename: Janet A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D007828:Laryngoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008866:Microsurgery; D017792:Surgical Stapling / Q000009:adverse effects; D016672:Zenker Diverticulum / Q000601:surgery*