Esophageal diverticula. Physiopathological basis for surgical management.

From 1980 to 1990, 31 patients were treated surgically in our department for esophageal diverticula: 12 Zenker's diverticula (ZD); 11 mid-thoracic diverticula (MTD); 8 epiphrenic diverticula (ED). Cricopharyngeal dysfunction was detectable in 8 of 12 ZD patients (66.6%). Cricopharyngeal myotomy with diverticulectomy was performed in all cases. There were no deaths. Relief of dysphagia was obtained in all cases. No recurrences of dysphagia or diverticulum were observed at a mean follow-up of 3 years. A motility disorder was observed in 10 of 11 MTD (90.9%). An extended esophageal myotomy with diverticulectomy was performed in 3 cases, an extended myotomy alone in 3 cases, a diverticulectomy alone in 5 cases; an anti-reflux procedure was added in 6 cases. One patient died on the 7th postoperative day. All remaining patients were free of symptoms at a mean follow-up of 3.2 years. A motor dysfunction was detected in all 8 ED patients (100%). No diverticulectomy was performed. Six patients underwent Heller-Dor myotomy and 2 underwent Nissen fundoplication. There were no deaths. Relief of symptoms was obtained in all patients, at a mean follow-up of 3.1 years. Myotomy with diverticulectomy represents the treatment of choice in ZD. As regards MTD and ED, the treatment of the underlying motor disorder is the main therapeutic goal, whereas diverticulectomy is reserved to selected patients.