Comparison of carbon dioxide laser-assisted versus stapler-assisted endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy

We directly compared endoscopic carbon dioxide (CO2) laser and stapler treatment methods for both cricopharyngeal hypertrophy (CPH) and Zenker's diverticulum (ZD).

We performed a single-institution retrospective chart review of 153 patients who underwent either CO2 laser-assisted or stapler-assisted endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy (CPM).

Isolated CPH was more likely to be treated with the CO2 laser than by stapler techniques. The ZD pouch size decreased significantly after surgery in both laser (p = 0.04) and stapler (p = 0.008) groups. The average duration of the procedure for CPM was longer for the laser than for the stapler (p = 0.01). Both techniques were successful when used in revision procedures. The overall complication rates were not statistically significantly different. Laser surgery trended toward a higher rate of major complications (2.4% versus 0%). Symptomatic recurrence was more likely after stapler surgery (p = 0.002). The rates of revision surgery were similar in the two groups (3.3% for laser and 4.3% for stapler).

In the treatment of isolated CPH or ZD, stapler-assisted endoscopic surgery results in a shorter operative time, whereas laser-assisted CPM results in a decreased incidence of symptomatic recurrence.