Laparoscopic Epiphrenic Diverticulectomy

Craig B. Morgenthal, MD; Ih-Ping Huang, MD; C. Daniel Smith, MD, FACS

Product Details
Product ID: ACS-2491
Year Produced: 2006
Length: 9 min.


The traditional surgical approach to epiphrenic diverticula was thoracotomy, however, the operation can now be safely accomplished laparoscopically. We present a video case report of a laparoscopic diverticulectomy and myotomy, along with the preoperative and intraoperative endoscopy. The patient presented with complaints of progressive dysphagia and repeated spontaneous violent emesis. Workup revealed achalasia and a four centimeter epiphrenic diverticulum. Following endoscopy, the steps of the operation included lower mediastinal dissection, isolation of the diverticular pouch, and transection of the diverticular neck. After intraoperative endoscopy confirmed the removal of the diverticulum and the absence of leak, we performed the esophageal and proximal gastric myotomy. A partial posterior fundoplication completed the operation. This case report demonstrates that laparascopic resection of epiphrenic diverticula is a safe, minimally invasive alternative to the traditional open.