Laparoscopic Surgery for Epiphrenic Esophageal Diverticulum

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We wanted to assess our surgical results focusing on the patients' quality of life. We present our experience with laparoscopic surgery for epiphrenic esophageal diverticulum. Short- and long-term results of surgical therapy were analyzed. METHODS: Eight patients were examined with a symptom-causing epiphrenic diverticulum. Patients underwent complex gastroenterologic examinations before and after surgery. Laparoscopic transhiatal epiphrenic diverticulectomy, Heller cardiomyotomy, and Dor anterior partial fundoplication were performed on 7 patients. One patient underwent only diverticulectomy, where no motility disorder was present. Results from surgical treatments and changes in patients' pre- and postoperative complaints were evaluated. RESULTS: In all cases except 1, the preoperative examination showed dysmotility of the esophagus. The average duration of the surgeries was 165 (130–195) minutes; blood loss was minimal. One patient developed bleeding in the early postoperative period, and a second laparoscopy was required. No other intraoperative complication was detected, and no mortality occurred. In one case, a staple line leak developed (1/8 [12.5%]), which was resolved with conservative therapy. Functional check-ups confirmed adequate esophageal function. The total symptom score for the patients was 6.3 points before surgery, and it decreased to 1.6 (P < .001) after surgery, an average of 74% subjective improvement. During the follow-up period (mean, 60 months; 10–138 months), proton pump inhibitor therapy was started in 4 patients to treat gastroesophageal reflux. In 3 cases, drug therapy was successful; in one case, Nissen antireflux surgery was performed. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic transhiatal diverticulectomy and Heller–Dor surgery are effective interventions with low morbidity. Patient quality of life significantly improves in the long term, but gastroesophageal reflux disease may occur.