Early Postoperative Complications of Thoracic Esophageal Diverticula: A Review of 10 Cases from "Saint Mary" Hospital, Bucharest, Romania

Thoracic esophageal diverticulum is a rare pathology frequently associated with esophageal motility disorders. Surgery is the only option in patients with severe symptoms. This is a retrospective case series study of 10 patients who underwent diverticulectomy for thoracic (epiphrenic or mid-esophageal) diverticula. It was recorded: main preoperative symptoms, usual blood tests, barium swallow, upper endoscopy and esophageal manometry. We analyzed the postoperative complications, length of stay in hospital and intensive care unit. Most patients presented with regurgitation and/or dysphagia. The surgical approach was through left thoracotomy or abdominal for epiphrenic diverticula and through right thoracotomy or thoracoscopy for mid-esophageal diverticula. 4 patients had severe complications: 3 had major leaks (one death) and one had chylothorax. Surgery for thoracic diverticula is associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. Leak from the suture line is the most common complication, unlike chylothorax which is a rare complication. Thoracic diverticula represent a benign pathology which can have "žmalignant" postoperative complications. A thorough preoperative work-up is mandatory for choosing the appropriate surgical technique. Use of multiple cartridges for stapling suture increase the risk of leakage, but oversewing the suture may diminish it.