Andreas Anagiotos1, Matthias Feyka2, Guy D Eslick3, Thorsten Lichtenstein4, Tobias D Henning4, Orlando Guntinas-Lichius5, Karl-Bernd Hüttenbrink2, Simon F Preuss2. 1. University of Cologne, Medical Faculty, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Cologne, Germany. Electronic address: andreas.anagiotos@uk-koeln.de. 2. University of Cologne, Medical Faculty, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Cologne, Germany. 3. The Whiteley-Martin Research Centre, Department of Surgery, The University of Sydney, Sydney Medical School Nepean, Sydney, Australia. 4. Department of Radiology, University of Cologne, Germany. 5. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Jena, Germany.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the long-term outcome after endoscopic laser-assisted diverticulotomy. METHODS: The medical files of patients who underwent endoscopic Zenker's diverticulum (ZD) surgery were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were interviewed using a questionnaire which assessed symptoms, other relevant disorders and satisfaction after the surgery. RESULTS: Mean follow-up period from 62 surgeries was 100 months (range 11-216 months). Follow-up data were obtained from 34 patients (response rate: 55%) in total. The surgery resulted in a significant reduction of symptoms (regurgitation, dysphagia and globus sensation). In four cases (12%) a postoperative impairment of swallowing solid food was reported, whereas, persisted difficulty of swallowing liquids was observed in two patients (6%). There was no reported case of impairment associated with everyday habits. The majority of patients were satisfied with the overall outcome of the surgery (n=31, 91%). CONCLUSION: The endoscopic laser-assisted diverticulotomy is an effective method of treating Zenker's diverticulum. The presented long-term results confirm that this technique offers a very high degree of symptom relief and patient's satisfaction.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the long-term outcome after endoscopic laser-assisted diverticulotomy. METHODS: The medical files of patients who underwent endoscopic Zenker's diverticulum (ZD) surgery were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were interviewed using a questionnaire which assessed symptoms, other relevant disorders and satisfaction after the surgery. RESULTS: Mean follow-up period from 62 surgeries was 100 months (range 11-216 months). Follow-up data were obtained from 34 patients (response rate: 55%) in total. The surgery resulted in a significant reduction of symptoms (regurgitation, dysphagia and globus sensation). In four cases (12%) a postoperative impairment of swallowing solid food was reported, whereas, persisted difficulty of swallowing liquids was observed in two patients (6%). There was no reported case of impairment associated with everyday habits. The majority of patients were satisfied with the overall outcome of the surgery (n=31, 91%). CONCLUSION: The endoscopic laser-assisted diverticulotomy is an effective method of treating Zenker's diverticulum. The presented long-term results confirm that this technique offers a very high degree of symptom relief and patient's satisfaction.