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Case Reports
. 2018 Apr-Jun;22(2):e2018.00002.
doi: 10.4293/JSLS.2018.00002.

Robotic-Assisted Transthoracic Esophageal Diverticulectomy

Bengi Balci  1 , Gizem Kilinc  1 , Bülent Calik  1 , Gökhan Akbulut  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Robotic-Assisted Transthoracic Esophageal Diverticulectomy

Bengi Balci et al. JSLS. 2018 Apr-Jun.

Abstract

Introduction: Esophageal diverticulum is a rare entity with symptoms that include dysphagia, halitosis, chest pain, and regurgitation. Indications for surgery include the presence of any of these symptoms and a diverticulum larger than 3 cm because of the increased risk of malignancy and aspiration. Treatment is open or minimally invasive surgery performed from the transhiatal or transthoracic approach.

Case description: Three patients were investigated by esophagogastroduodenoscopy, esophageal manometry, and computed tomography and were given the diagnosis of epiphrenic diverticulum of the esophagus.

Management and outcome: The patients underwent robot-assisted surgery by a transthoracic approach for esophageal diverticulectomy. The mean operative time was 211 min, with no significant blood loss or intraoperative complications.

Discussion: This report of robot-assisted surgery for esophageal diverticulectomy from a transthoracic approach adds to the literature regarding surgical treatment of epiphrenic esophageal diverticulum. It is a feasible method that can be used in selected patients with esophageal diverticulum.

Keywords: Esophageal diverticulum; Robot-assisted surgery; Transthoracic approach.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Operative position and ports for robotic transthoracic esophageal diverticulectomy.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Esophageal 2-cm epiphrenic diverticulum.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
A large 8 × 7-cm epiphrenic diverticulum.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Anastomotic leak from stapler line after robotic diverticulectomy.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
A large diverticulum containing food residue.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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