Oesophageal diverticula. A follow-up study of 34 patients

Of the 34 patients treated surgically for oesophageal diverticula during a 17-year yperiod, 14 had Zenker's and 20 thoracic diverticula. In addition to three diverticular perforations, the selection of the patients for surgery was based on major symptomatology and roentgenological retention in the diverticulum. The most usual method was a simple diverticulectomy. One patient was lost because of an oesophagopleural fistula, while non-lethal complications occurred in 10 patients. Twenty-nine patients were available for the follow-up study, which was made, on an average, 5.5 years postoperatively. Four had died of other causes. Seventeen patients regarded the results as good and 11 as acceptable. A roentgenological recurrence was detected after six Zenker's and four thoracic diverticulectomies by using the hypotonic double contrast method. Most recurrences caused only minor symptoms, if any. Two new diverticula were found in addition to the recurrences. Only one patient was reoperated on, while the slight discomfort felt by the others was not considered an indication for surgery.