[Transaxillary minimally invasive Zenker's diverticulectomy]

We evaluated the possibility and effectiveness of transaxillary gas-free approach for minimally invasive Zenker's diverticulectomy. A 64-year-old patient with large Zenker's diverticulum (6 cm) and pathognomonic symptoms is presented. Transaxillary gas-free minimally invasive diverticulectomy was performed using an endoscopic linear stapler. Surgery time was 137 min. There were not any postoperative complications including recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. X-ray examination after 2 postoperative days revealed no signs of anastomotic leakage, so the patient was allowed to drink and consume liquid food from the 3rd day. Patient was discharged on the 7th day. Minimally invasive surgical technology ensures effective and radical transaxillary diverticulectomy in patients with Zenker's diverticulum. The advantages of this method are good and detailed exposition of surgical field, including recurrent laryngeal nerve, more precise and less invasive manipulations and better cosmetic effect. The method may be an alternative to traditional and endoscopic diverticulectomy for a certain group of patients. However, experience accumulation and further prospective studies are required.