Setting Tertiary care university hospital. The septum between the diverticulum and the esophageal lumen was divided under general anesthesia using a linear endostapler introduced through a Weerda endoscope. Operative time averaged 23 minutes. Main Outcome Measures Morbidity, symptom score, patient's satisfaction, videofluorographic barium transit, hypopharyngeal intrabolus pressure, upper esophageal clearance of radioisotope. No postoperative morbidity or mortality was recorded.
All patients are asymptomatic at the latest follow-up visit.
Postoperative radiologic studies showed free flow of barium in all patients. Conclusions Endosurgical approach to hypopharyngeal diverticula larger than 2 cm is safe and effective. Symptom relief, elimination of the pouch, and decreased outflow resistance at the pharyngoesophageal junction can be obtained without morbidity and with a short hospital stay. All rights reserved.