Minimally invasive treatment of esophageal diverticula.

Minimally invasive approaches are ideally suited to treat diverticula of the mid- and lower esophagus. The most commonly reported procedure is a laparoscopic diverticulectomy and myotomy, particularly when the diverticulum is located within 10 cm of the lower esophageal sphincter. Treatment is the same as for the open approach: Symptomatic patients are offered surgical treatment, the diverticulum is excised without compromise of the esophageal lumen, the proximal extent of the myotomy is dictated by preoperative manometry, and postoperative evaluation is performed to exclude recurrence and gastroesophageal reflux. The results of laparoscopic treatment of esophageal diverticula are similar to the results reported in the open procedure. The laparoscopic technique used to treat esophageal diverticula is described.     

Minimally invasive management of epiphrenic esophageal diverticula

The purpose of this study is to review our initial experience with a minimally invasive approach to manage symptomatic epiphrenic esophageal diverticula. Five patients with symptomatic epiphrenic esophageal diverticula underwent surgical management between August 1997 and December 2002. All patients complained of dysphagia; had experienced symptoms for at least 12 months; and were evaluated preoperatively by a barium esophagram, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and esophageal manometry. The epiphrenic esophageal diverticula measured 5 cm or less in all patients. Manometry demonstrated esophageal dysmotility in three patients. A minimally invasive technique was completed in all five patients. Four patients underwent laparoscopic diverticulectomy and myotomy including a concomitant Toupet fundoplication, and one patient underwent thoracoscopic diverticulectomy and myotomy. The mean operative time was 245 minutes (range 175-334). The longest operative time was for the thoracoscopic procedure. The estimated blood loss was minimal (range 30-100 cm3). The laparoscopic patients had a mean postoperative length of stay of 2.75 days (range 2-4) and the patient undergoing a thoracoscopic approach was discharged on postoperative day 6 due to a history of lung disease and home oxygen requirements. There were no other postoperative complications. After a mean follow-up of 16.2 months (range 3-36) all patients are asymptomatic. Short-term follow-up after our initial experience with minimally invasive approaches for epiphrenic esophageal diverticula demonstrates that thoracoscopic and laparoscopic approaches are feasible; safe; and effectively alleviate dysphagia, regurgitation, and other associated symptoms. Long-term outcomes should be monitored during the evolution of these novel minimally invasive techniques to ensure outcomes comparable to those of a transthoracic open approach.     

Porcine small intestine submucosa matrix (Surgisis) for esophageal perforation

We present a case of traumatic cervical esophageal perforation complicated by delayed diagnosis and foreign body presence successfully repaired with acellular matrix biomaterial made from porcine submucosa (Surgisis mesh [Wilson-Cook, Winston-Salem, NC]). With metal plating eroding into the esophagus from a spinal fixation procedure, the mesh was applied to the defect just under the cricopharyngeus. The patient re-commenced oral intake after 7 days, and an endoscopy at 4 weeks revealed a well-incorporated mesh in an intact esophagus with normal caliber. In this case, Surgisis mesh (Wilson-Cook) proved effective in providing temporary esophageal integrity to allow healing in an infected field where diversion was impossible.