Laparoscopic Surgery for Diverticulum of the Abdominal Esophagus: A Case Report

Diverticulum of the abdominal esophagus is an extremely rare disease. We present a patient with diverticulum of the abdominal esophagus who could be treated successfully by a laparoscopic diverticulectomy with supporting intra-operative endoscopy. In patient with epiphrenic diverticulum, diverticulectomy with myotomy and partial fundoplication is recommended as surgical treatment. This procedure has been excogitated to control of symptoms due to esophageal motility disorders and to prevent postoperative symptoms due to reflux, stenosis, and leak. Esophageal motility disorders are regarded as the underlying cause of the epiphrenic diverticulum. Considering optimal treatment for the patients with esophageal diverticulum, it should be elucidated the relation between esophageal diverticulum and postoperative symptoms. Here we describe the first case of a laparoscopic diverticulectomy in patient with diverticulum of the abdominal esophagus, and discuss about surgical treatment of esophageal diverticulum.