Robotic Transaxillary Treatment of Zenker's Diverticulum: How We Do It

SOFIA ESPOSITO, MD

Product Details
Product ID: ACS-6051
Year Produced: 2020
Length: 8 min.


We present a case of a robot-assisted Zenker diverticulectomy with left transaxillary gasless access in a 71 years male. In the Operative room patient is supine, with the neck slightly extended and left arm lifted. A 5 cm skin incision is made in the left axilla, and the subplatysmal skin flap is created with a gassless approach under endoscopic vision.Dissection continues through the clavicular and sternal branches of sternocleidomastoideum and reaches the strap muscles. The robot is docked from the patient's right side and a 4 arms technique is used. During robotic time diverticular pouch is exposed until its neck on the posterior pharyngeal wall, preserving inferior thyroid artery and inferior laryngeal nerve. Under esophagoscopic control myotomy is carried out with robotic monopolar hook and the diverticulum is sectioned with a linear 45 mm stapler, white cartridge. In this case the intra-operative air testing showed a leak that made it necessary to perform an intracorporeal suture to reinforce the resection line. No post-operative complications were registered, the contrast swallow study was regular and the patient resumed oral intake on 9th post-operative day. At one month of follow-up remission of dysphagia and no sign of recurrence were registered. According to our experience left transaxillary robot-assisted Zenker's diverticulectomy is a demanding procedure, that becomes safe and feasible in experienced hands, and it may represents a valid alternative to traditional open excision when endoscopic treatment fails or it's not indicated.