Surgical resection of voluminous epiphrenic diverticula

Abstract

A 52-year-old male and 55-year-old female underwent surgical resection of a voluminous symptomatic epiphrenic diverticulum via a right thoracotomy. A formal myotomy of the distal esophagus was not performed. The first patient had an uncomplicated recovery whilst the other patient still suffers from an esophageal-cutaneous fistula and repetitive abscesses, treated by intravenous antibiotics and percutaneous drainage. The authors discuss the indication for resection, surgical techniques and complications.

Keywords:

• Epiphrenic diverticulum
• upper gastro-intestinal tract
• surgery
• technique
• thoracotomy
• Complications

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.