Sheena M Rippentropp1, Frank R Miller. 1. Department of Otolaryngology-HNS, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the role of minimally invasive endoscopic diverticulostomy in patients who develop hypopharyngeal diverticulum after cervical spine surgery/fixation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective case series of seven patients who underwent endoscopic management of a symptomatic hypopharyngeal diverticulum. The patients were analyzed for diverticulum size, pre-operative and post-operative dysphagia and regurgitation scores, and complications. The overall success with the endoscopic approach was compared to the prior experience with traditional Zenker's diverticulum. RESULTS: Of the seven patients with hypopharyngeal diverticulum, four were successfully managed with minimally invasive endoscopic diverticulostomy (57%). These four patients all demonstrated clinically significant improvement in both dysphagia and regurgitation scores at a minimum of 6 months postoperatively. Complications were minimal and consisted of one case with postoperative subcutaneous air. There were no cases of fistula, mediastinitis, or nerve injury. CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive endoscopic diverticulotomy can be successfully applied to patients who develop hypopharyngeal diverticulum after cervical spine surgery/fixation.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the role of minimally invasive endoscopic diverticulostomy in patients who develop hypopharyngeal diverticulum after cervical spine surgery/fixation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective case series of seven patients who underwent endoscopic management of a symptomatic hypopharyngeal diverticulum. The patients were analyzed for diverticulum size, pre-operative and post-operative dysphagia and regurgitation scores, and complications. The overall success with the endoscopic approach was compared to the prior experience with traditional Zenker's diverticulum. RESULTS: Of the seven patients with hypopharyngeal diverticulum, four were successfully managed with minimally invasive endoscopic diverticulostomy (57%). These four patients all demonstrated clinically significant improvement in both dysphagia and regurgitation scores at a minimum of 6 months postoperatively. Complications were minimal and consisted of one case with postoperative subcutaneous air. There were no cases of fistula, mediastinitis, or nerve injury. CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive endoscopic diverticulotomy can be successfully applied to patients who develop hypopharyngeal diverticulum after cervical spine surgery/fixation.