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Updated: Sep 1, 2026
Vessel-sparing Excision and Primary Anastomosis
Published on: January 7, 2019
[Plea in favour of external cervicotomy approach of Zenker's diverticulum: 73 cases reported]
J Jougon1, L Le Taillandier-de-Gabory, F Raux
1Service de chirurgie thoracique et des maladies de l'oesophage (Pr Velly), hôpital du Haut-Lévêque, CHU de Bordeaux, avenue de Magellan, 33604 cedex, Pessac, France. jacques.jougon@chu-bordeaux.fr <jacques.jougon@chu-bordeaux.fr>
Introduction:
Zenker's diverticulum can be treated surgically or endoscopically. The aim of this study was to assess results of surgical approach with cervicotomy and diverticulectomy.
Patients And Methods:
We retrospectively studied the data of 73 patients (50 men and 23 women; mean age, 69 ans; extrêmes: 43-98) consecutively operated on for a Zenker's diverticulum between 1987 and 2000. Surgical procedure included diverticulectomy associated with a large myotomy and oesophageal calibration. Both early and long-term results were compared with those of published series of patients treated by stapled esophagodiverticulostomy.
Results:
Clinical manifestations were: dysphagia (97%), regurgitations (76%), aspirations (45%), weight loss (28%), lung infection (21%), or halitosis (3%). No patient died postoperatively. The early morbidity rate was 4% (3 patients). The mean delay for return of oral feeding and the mean length of hospital stay were respectively 6 and 8 days. At follow-up (mean follow-up, 6 years; extremes: 3 months-13 years), 72 patients (99%) were satisfied and 1 patient felt partially improved. Analysis of published results of series of endoscopic treatment revealed shorter lengths of hospital stay but less favourable long-term results.
Conclusions:
Early morbidity of surgical treatment of Zenker's diverticulum is low. Long term functional results could be better after surgical diverticulectomy with myotomy than after endoscopic stapled esophagodiverticulostomy.
