Comparison of flexible endoscopic cricopharyngeal myectomy and myotomy approaches for Zenker diverticulum repair

Abstract

Incision of the cricopharyngeal (CP) muscle with flexible endoscopy is an important approach for Zenker diverticulum (ZD) repair with symptomatic resolution in approximately 90% of cases, but recurrence has been reported in up to 20%. We report our experience with a new endoscopic myectomy of the CP muscle and compare the outcome with conventional myotomy of ZD. Our retrospective study included all patients with ZD who underwent endoscopic repair between August 1, 2014 and July 31, 2017. Conventional CP myotomy was defined as a vertical cut through the CP muscle. CP myectomy was defined as parallel excisions followed by snare resection at the CP resection base. Measurement of ZD size was based on barium esophagram and endoscopic estimation. Outcomes included ZD recurrence, improvement of dysphagia, and procedure adverse events. Sixty-four patients underwent endoscopic repair for ZD, 44 with CP myotomy and 20 with CP myectomy. Mean (standard deviation) size of ZD was 3.3 cm (1.0) and 3.8 cm (1.2) in the myotomy and myectomy cohorts, respectively (P= .11), and median procedure time was 50 and 56 minutes, respectively (P= .73). In the CP myotomy cohort, 10 patients (22.7%) had recurrence of ZD at a median of 19.1 months, whereas no recurrence was documented in the CP myectomy cohort (P= .02). This trend was also shown in multivariate analysis but was not statistically significant (P= .07). There was no statistical difference in improvement of dysphagia and adverse events. CP myectomy is a new endoscopic technique for ZD repair. In our experience, it was safe and well tolerated, with a high initial success rate and less ZD recurrence when compared with myotomy.