The First Endoscopic Diverticulectomy for a Large Zenker’s Esophageal Diverticula in Southwest of Iran: A Case Report

Abstract

In this case report study, the patient was a 95-year-old woman who was referred to the health center due to inability to swallow liquids and solids for 6 months. After determining the cause of dysphagia due to a large Zenker’s diverticulum in the initial part of the esophagus, and the inability of patient to tolerate surgery due to her age and general deterioration, she underwent the endoscopic diverticulectomy. Under a two-hour endoscopic surgery, the wall of the cricopharyngeal muscle was first identified and diverticulectomy was performed by cutting the muscle with an endoscopic needle knife, using the Olympus flexible endoscope and closing the surgery site with clips. There were no complications during or after the surgery. The patient was kept fasting for 48 hours. After that, liquid feeding was started; 5 days later, the patient was discharged from the hospital with a good general condition and the ability to swallow food. This was the first case of endoscopic diverticulectomy in the southwest of Iran.