[Esophageal diverticulum--perioperative risks and long-term follow-up]

Between 1985 and 1994 36 patients with Zenker's diverticulum were operatively treated by excision of diverticulum and cricopharyngeal myotomy at the University department of Surgery, Mainz. The complication rate was 25% (9 of 36 patients), in 2 cases a suture insufficiency was detectable. Long-term results are based on follow-up studies of 32 patients. The average follow-up interval was 59 (10-101) months, 20 patients (56%) underwent radiological examinations or endoscopy. 29 of 32 patients were totally symptomfree concerning the esophagus. After an average follow-up of almost 5 years there was no symptomatic recurrence. In 1 of 20 radiologically or endoscopically examined patients an asymptomatic recurrence could be detected. These results show that excision of the diverticulum in combination with a cricopharyngeal myotomy is an effective method with low risk for the long-term removal of pharyngoesophageal diverticulum.