DO realize that Zenker’s
diverticulum can sometimes return after surgery
(less than 4% of cases).
Can Zenker’s diverticulum come back after surgery?
RECURRENCE – Especially with the endoscopic procedure,
there can be an approximate 10% chance of recurrence of the Zenker’s diverticulum
. If the problem was to recur, it usually would take several years for this to happen. If there was initial success, then typically the endoscopic repair can be repeated.
How do I know if I have Zenker’s diverticulum?
What are the symptoms of Zenker’s diverticulum? Symptoms include
difficulty swallowing, feeling swallowed material sticking in the throat, regurgitation, weight loss, bad breath, choking, and coughing
. Swallowed material may accumulate in the diverticulum and be regurgitated long after a meal.
Is Zenker diverticulum cancerous?
Zenker’s diverticulum (ZD) has been increasingly recognized as a site of
primary epithelial malignancy
.
Is Zenker diverticulum curable?
The only treatment to cure Zenker’s diverticulum is
a surgical intervention
, which relieves symptoms and improves the quality of life.
How much does Zenker’s diverticulum surgery cost?
However, the endoscopic procedure required the use of an EndoGIA stapler, which added significantly to the overall costs. The mean operative costs for the endoscopic procedure was
approximately $5178
, which was slightly higher than the mean operative costs for the open procedure at $5113.
What can I eat after Zenker’s diverticulum surgery?
Diet: Once you are discharged you need to eat
a mechanical soft diet
. This includes any food, like pasta, fish, mashed potatoes that does not need to be cut or chewed. Swallowing may be more difficult after surgery for the first 2 to 4 weeks due to swelling in your throat.
How do you fix Zenker’s diverticulum?
Treatment for symptomatic ZD can be
surgical or endoscopic
. The surgical approach involves an external neck incision with CP myotomy (diverticulotomy), with or without pouch intervention (inversion, diverticulopexy or diverticulectomy).
How common is Zenker’s diverticulum?
Zenker’s diverticulum is rare, occurring
in less than 0.01% of the population
. It’s found more often in women than in men, usually those 60 years old or more. This disorder can be associated with hiatal hernias, esophageal spasm, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and, rarely, cancer of the esophagus.
How do you test for Zenker’s diverticulum?
Zenker’s diverticulum is diagnosed using a test called
a barium swallow
. A barium swallow is a special X-ray that highlights the inside of your mouth, pharynx, and esophagus. A barium swallow fluoroscopy allows your doctor to see how you swallow in motion.
Is esophageal diverticulum cancerous?
Summary.
Esophageal diverticula are rare
. The association of cancer and diverticula has been described. Some authors adopt a conservative non-surgical approach in selected patients with diverticula whereas others treat the symptoms by diverticulopexy or myotomy only, leaving the diverticulum in situ.
What is Zenker’s diverticulitis?
Zenker’s diverticulum is
a pouch at the back of the throat at a weak spot where the throat and esophagus join
. These diverticula are uncommon and tend to occur in elderly people.
What type of doctor treats Zenker’s diverticulum?
What Are the Treatment Options? If you have any of the symptoms mentioned here, you should be examined by an
ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist
, or otolaryngologist. Your ENT specialist may diagnose your condition using a “barium swallow” study.
How long does Zenker’s diverticulum surgery take?
The pouch is opened and connected to the esophagus to allow easier swallowing and prevent accumulation and regurgitation of food. This endoscopic procedure is performed under general anesthesia and may take
20 minutes to 1 hour
depending on anatomic variations within the throat.
Is Zenker’s diverticulum serious?
Moderate to severe cases
.
More serious cases of Zenker’s diverticulum require surgery. Surgery can help with difficulty swallowing, coughing, and aspiration. For large diverticulums, or for those in complicated positions, an open-neck surgery might be the only way to remove the pouch.
What causes a pouch in the esophagus?
It is believed that
the internal pressure produced by the esophagus to move food into the stomach can herniate the esophageal lining through a weakened wall
, creating a pouch or a diverticulum.
