title: Laparoscopic treatment of epiphrenic diverticula: preoperative evaluation and surgical technique. How I do it.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Traditionally, epiphrenic diverticula have been managed through a left thoracotomy. With the advancement of minimally invasive techniques, a laparoscopic approach has gained widespread popularity. Unfortunately, the preoperative evaluation of patients with epiphrenic diverticula, and their surgical management, is still not well characterized.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The goal of this article is to illustrate our approach to patients with epiphrenic diverticula in terms of preoperative evaluation and surgical technique. The final discussion will focus on the evidence-based rationale for our preoperative assessment and surgical approach.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USA. pfisichella@lumc.edu
authors.forename: Piero Marco
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Fisichella
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pittman
authors.forename: Paul C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Kuo
mesh_terms: D004936:Diverticulum, Esophageal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D011300:Preoperative Care