title: Evaluation of the different transcervical approaches for Zenker diverticulum.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of open surgical techniques in the treatment of Zenker diverticulum.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case series with chart review.
  
  
  METHODS
  Academic tertiary referral center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-four patients with Zenker diverticulum were treated using a transcervical approach. Three with a Brombart I diverticulum underwent a simple myotomy of the cricopharyngeal muscle. Myotomy was combined with a diverticulum inversion in 14 patients and myotomy with diverticulectomy was performed in 37 patients. The surgical procedures were compared with regard to mean anesthesia time, duration of hospitalization, overall complication rate and rate of serious complications, recurrence rate, and follow-up results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hospitalization times were significantly shorter in the inversion group (P = .024). No statistically significant differences were observed between the transcervical modalities for any of the other variables investigated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Inversion is an effective modality and is by definition less traumatic than traditional diverticulectomy. Although the size of the diverticulum appeared to be a helpful criterion, careful intraoperative evaluation is the key element in deciding which transcervical procedure should be used. In the authors' view, inversion always should be considered if the individual anatomy of the diverticulum sac (in terms of pharyngeal pouch size and intactness of the mucosa) allows it.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg Medical School, Erlangen, Germany. konstantinos.mantsopoulos@uk-erlangen.de
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mantsopoulos
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Psychogios
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Künzel
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zenk
authors.forename: Heinrich
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Iro
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003413:Cricoid Cartilage / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010609:Pharyngeal Muscles / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016672:Zenker Diverticulum / Q000601:surgery*