Zenker Diverticulum Treatment: Endoscopic or Surgical?

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Pathology

Background:

• Zenker diverticulum is a rare hypopharyngeal pathology.
• Patient selection for invasive treatments and therapeutic methods require evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate classical and endoscopic surgical treatment methods for Zenker diverticulum.
• To correlate pathophysiological aspects with clinical consequences.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 36 patients treated between 2010-2017.
• Comparison of 7 patients treated with classical surgery and 29 with endoscopic approach.
• Cricopharyngeal myotomy performed in all patients; diverticullectomy in 7 surgical cases.

Main Results:

• Endoscopic treatment demonstrated 80% efficiency.
• Average hospitalization was 4 days.
• Post-procedural complications included dysphagia, pain, fever, and hematoma, with an overall morbidity of 16.66%.

Conclusions:

• Endoscopic treatment is effective for Zenker diverticulum.
• Persistent dysphagia is a common post-interventional symptom.
• Reintervention may be necessary for persistent post-surgical symptoms.