Three-dimensional laparoscopic approach to distal oesophageal diverticula: Single-centre experience

Epiphrenic oesophageal diverticula are rare and often asymptomatic. When symptoms are present, minimally invasive diverticulectomy is considered the gold standard of treatment. While there is an agreement on the pre-operative assessment, no consensus is achieved when it comes to surgical technique. In the present study, we report our experience and propose a standardised approach to manage this rare oesophageal disorder.

We prospectively analysed data of all consecutive patients who underwent three-dimensional (3D) laparoscopic distal oesophageal diverticulum resection during 2015-2020 at Upper gastrointestinal surgical department, St Thomas' Hospital, regarding pre-operative assessment, surgical technique, peri-and post-operative outcomes.

Six patients were submitted to 3D laparoscopic diverticulectomy, five of which with additional anterior myotomy and fundoplication and one with additional hiatal hernia repair only. Three patients followed a specific diet in preparation for surgery. Median pre-operative Eckardt symptom score was five. Two patients had normal manometry. Median operative time was 180 min, median estimated blood loss was <100 ml, neither intraoperative complications nor conversions to open approach occurred. All patients reported a complete resolution of symptoms directly after surgery. Median follow-up was 66 months. Five patients have none or minimal residual symptoms. One had recurrence requiring a revision operation for intermittent dysphagia.

3D laparoscopic diverticulectomy offers a reasonable chance of treatment in patients with epiphrenic diverticula. Optimal selection of patients, optimisation for surgery, gaining the surgical experience of carrying out these techniques and impact on short- and long-term results are issues that still remain under debate.