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Treatment of Achalasia and Epiphrenic Diverticulum

  • Surgical Symposium Contribution
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Abstract

Background

Epiphrenic diverticulum (ED) is a pulsion pseudodiverticulum found in the distal 10 cm of the esophagus. Motility disorders are present in the majority of patients with ED explaining the pathophysiology of this rare disease. Achalasia is the most common underlying disorder. We present a review on the diagnosis and management of ED in the setting of achalasia.

Methods

Literature review.

Results

Symptoms are most related to the underlying motility disorder. The diagnostic workup should always include an upper digestive endoscopy and a barium esophagogram. Esophageal manometry identifies the motility disorder in most patients. Therapeutic options include laparoscopic, thoracoscopic and endoscopic procedures. While a myotomy must always be performed, diverticulectomy is not always necessary.

Conclusions

Epiphrenic diverticulum is a rare condition whose pathophysiology involves an underlying motility disorder—achalasia in most cases. Symptoms usually include dysphagia, regurgitation, heartburn, and respiratory complaints and correlate with the motility disorder rather than the diverticulum per se. Upper digestive endoscopy and barium esophagogram are needed for the diagnosis—manometry may add useful information but is not imperative for the treatment. Laparoscopic Heller myotomy with a partial fundoplication is the procedure of choice, with satisfactory symptom relief and several advantages over the thoracic approach. Diverticulectomy may be performed in selected patients. Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) are novel techniques, effective and minimally invasive that can be an option for patients unfit for surgery.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo, Rua Diogo de Faria 1087 cj 301, Sao Paulo, SP, 04037-003, Brazil

    Barbara F. Nadaleto & Fernando A. M. Herbella

  2. Department of Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA

    Marco G. Patti

Authors
  1. Barbara F. Nadaleto
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  2. Fernando A. M. Herbella
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  3. Marco G. Patti
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Correspondence to Fernando A. M. Herbella.

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Nadaleto, B.F., Herbella, F.A.M. & Patti, M.G. Treatment of Achalasia and Epiphrenic Diverticulum. World J Surg 46, 1547–1553 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-022-06476-2

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