Revista Espanola de Enfermedades Digestivas (Jun 2006)
20 years' experience in the management of Zenker's diverticulum in a third-level hospital Experiencia de 20 años en el manejo del divertículo de Zenker en un hospital de 3er nivel
Abstract
Zenker's diverticulum arises in the posterior wall of the pharynx, above the cricopharyngeal muscle, secondary to a functional cricopharyngeal disorder. We describe our experience with the management of Zenker's diverticulum from 1985 to this day in a third-level hospital. We review clinical data from 27 patients (78% males) with a mean age of 60.4 years. The most common clinical manifestations were dysphagia, regurgitation, syalorrhea, cough, and weight loss. All cases were diagnosed using an esophagogram. A diverticulectomy with cricopharingeal myotomy was performed in 74% of patients. Complications developed in 5 cases (21%), and the recurrence rate was 4% (1 of 3 cases, where myotomy was not performed).