Zenker's Diverticulum-Endoscopic Staple Diverticulostomy (ESD)
by Dr. Christopher Chang, last modified on 7/10/11
The procedure occurs as follows:
- After being placed under general anesthesia, special laryngoscope is placed into your mouth and advanced to where the diverticulum is located. (Slide 4 and Slide 4b)
- Special sutures are placed to anchor the common wall between the diverticulum and esophagus (swallowing tube). (Slide 9)
- A stapler device is than used to divide and seal the cut edges (Slide 11). For more information on why this would help if you are confused, click here.
- The anchoring sutures are cut and removed.
- Laryngoscope is removed.
- You are awakened and extubated. The procedure generally takes 30-45 minutes to perform. (Slide 12)
- You are discharged after a few hours of observation. If you live far away, you have the option of staying the night in the hospital or at the hotel.
- By the next day, you are allowed to eat a regular meal.
That's it!
For a pictoral slideshow of this procedure, go here. This webpage compares this surgical approach with other surgical methods.
Click here to watch a video created by the surgeons at Oregon Health Sciences University on how this operation is performed.
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