Abstract
The Zenker diverticulum (pharyngoesophageal diverticulum) arises from the triangle of mucosa located between the inferior pharyngeal constrictors and the cricopharyngeal muscle (Killian triangle). This type of diverticula is a false diverticulum and more common than true esophageal diverticula. The treatment options range from various endoscopic techniques to open surgical resection.
Treatment of Zenker diverticulum with a flexible endoscope provides an alternative to surgery or the intraluminal approach with a rigid endoscope (Weerda laryngoscope). The “septum” between the diverticulum and the esophagus is transected, thereby creating a common cavity of esophageal lumen and diverticulum, allowing easier food passage. It is not always necessary to divide the complete septum between the esophagus and the diverticulum because patients already have a good relief of symptoms after incision of one third to one half of the septum. That is why the aim of the endoscopic treatment is the relief of symptoms and not necessarily the complete separation of the septum.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2016 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Vashist, Y., Groth, S., Seitz, U. (2016). Treatment of Zenker Diverticulum. In: CLAVIEN, PA., Sarr, M., Fong, Y., Miyazaki, M. (eds) Atlas of Upper Gastrointestinal and Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-46546-2_16
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-46546-2_16
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-662-46545-5
Online ISBN: 978-3-662-46546-2
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)