[Laparoscopic resection of gastric diverticula: two case reports]

Gastric diverticula are rare. In the literature the mentioned incidences vary between 0.01 % and 2.6 % depending on the method of detection. Until now the laparoscopic treatment of gastric diverticula is reported worldwide by eight authors (eight laparoscopic resections and one laparoscopic invagination with oversewing). Between September 2000 and November 2004 we have operated upon two patients laparoscopically for a gastric diverticulum. In two case reports we describe our operative and perioperative procedure. In both cases the gastric diverticulum was resected with a linear stapling device. In the second patient we did simultaneously a laparoscopic 360 degrees -Nissen-fundoplicatio plus dorsal hiatorrhaphy and fundopexy because of reflux disease based on a cardia insufficiency. The dates of the literature concerning incidence, localisation, classifications, symptoms, diagnostic and therapy are summarized and discussed. Our two case reports show, like the cases mentioned in the literature, that symptomatic gastric diverticula can be treated by laparoscopic resection with very good results.