Management of epiphrenic esophageal diverticula. A fifteen-year experience

Epiphrenic esophageal diverticula represent an unusual cause of dysphagia, pain, and weight loss. Although commonly associated with motility disorders, distal esophageal diverticula also have been associated with reflux strictures or other lesions. To determine the most appropriate diagnostic evaluation and operative approach, we reviewed the recent 15-year experience with epiphrenic esophageal diverticula at our institution. Over the study period, 18 patients were diagnosed with pulsion epiphrenic diverticula. Nine patients (50%) with symptomatic diverticula were referred for surgical management. All referred patients were evaluated with preoperative manometry, endoscopy, and contrast esophagography. Diverticulectomy was performed via posterolateral thoracotomy in all patients, combined with myotomy in the 6 patients (67%) with abnormal manometric results and in 2 patients with normal manometric results. The third patient with normal manometric results underwent simple diverticulectomy. There was no operative mortality. One complication, a small esophageal leak, was managed successfully by early reoperation. All patients were free of dysphagia at discharge. Follow-up was obtained for 17 patients (94%) ranging from 3 months to 12 years. Good to excellent results (measured by relief of symptoms, weight gain, and absence of clinical recurrence) were seen in all 9 surgical patients; 6 of 9 nonsurgical patients remained or became symptomatic. This experience demonstrates the efficacy of surgical management of symptomatic epiphrenic esophageal diverticula. Diverticulectomy combined with selective myotomy permits excellent operative results and resolution of associated symptoms.