Surgical repair of Zenker's traction diverticulum with infected spinal hardware following anterior cervical fusion: A report of two cases

Abstract

Zenker's traction diverticulum is a potentially fatal complication of anterior cervical spinal surgery which is likely under-reported. It is managed by medical stabilization, surgical abscess drainage, hardware removal, cricopharyngeal myotomy, and diverticulectomy with or without muscle flap interposition. We present two cases of Zenker's traction diverticulum perforation with spinal hardware erosion and infection, both of which opted for the muscle flap interposition. Given the inevitable scarring of the esophagus from the hardware and the low risk and significant benefit associated with a flap, a preemptive sternocleidomastoid flap at the time of the anterior spinal hardware may help reduce the growing burden of complication.

Keywords

• Cervical fusion
• Traction diverticulum
• Muscle flap
• Esophageal perforation
• Cervical spine