[Endoscopic septotomy treatment of Zenker's diverticulum]

Abstract

The Zenker's diverticulum is the pathology of pharyngo-esophageal region with its neck proximal to the cricopharyngeal muscle. The Zenker's diverticulum is the rare finding in upper endoscopy, but choice of treatment may bring some problems. Nowadays, the flexible endoscopy has been in focus of interest for treatment of Zenker's diverticulum.

Methods: Our first experience in management of Zenker's diverticulum include 40 patients, age 67-82 years old. All patients had symptoms such as dysphagia, aspiration pneumonia or sputum at night. The procedure consist of endoscopic incision of septum between esophageal lumen and diverticulum using argon beamer until its high was less than 0.5 cm.

Results: all patients became free of symptoms. Each patient complained of sore throat after treatment. No serious complications were observed. Only one case of retropharyngeal space emphysema and two cases of perforation were observed, both of them were treated with antybiotics and nasogastric tube feeding.

Conclusion: It seems that this method is save and efficacious for treatment of Zenker's diverticulum.