Endoscopic treatment of pharyngo-esophageal diverticulum in child

Vincent Patron1, Benoît Godey, Karine Aubry

  • 1Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Rennes University Hospital Center, 2 rue Henri Le Guillou, 35000 Rennes, France. vtromps@yahoo.fr

Insights

Pharyngo-esophageal diverticula are rare in children. Endoscopic CO(2) laser surgery successfully treated a 5-year-old boy, with no relapse during a 4-year follow-up.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Gastroenterology
  • Otolaryngology

Background:

  • Pharyngo-esophageal diverticula are uncommon in pediatric patients.
  • Standard adult treatment involves cricopharyngeal muscle resection, but its pediatric application is undocumented.

Observation:

  • A 5-year-old boy presented with recurrent pulmonary infections and chronic low weight.
  • Diagnostic workup revealed a pharyngeal diverticulum as the underlying cause.

Findings:

  • The pharyngeal diverticulum was successfully treated using endoscopic CO(2) laser surgery.
  • The patient experienced no recurrence of symptoms during a 4-year post-operative follow-up period.

Implications:

  • This case demonstrates the feasibility and efficacy of endoscopic CO(2) laser surgery for pharyngo-esophageal diverticula in children.
  • This minimally invasive approach offers a potential alternative to traditional surgical methods for pediatric cases.

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