BACKGROUND: Epiphrenic diverticulum is a rare condition in clinical practice usually presented by few symptoms such as dysphagia. Before the advent of the videosurgery, it's surgical treatment was performed by a left thoracotomy or laparotomy and resection of the diverticulum, associated or not with myotomy in the esophagogastric junction. Today, this procedure has been accomplished, by laparoscopy with very good results, leading to a better postoperative recuperation. METHODS: We present five patients with epiphrenic diverticulum that were treated by videolaparoscopy. Three of them were females and their ages varied between 37 and 64 years old. All patients were submitted to an endoscopy and X-ray to confirm the diagnosis; three were submitted to a manometry that showed unspecific motility alterations. RESULTS: Resection of the diverticulum was performed successfully by videolaparoscopy in all cases. One patient showed esophageal leakage after 8 days with normal control postoperative X-ray. The hospital length of stay varied between 7 and 21 days, and disphagya relief was achieved in all patients, with a follow-up between two to eleven years. CONCLUSION: Videolaparoscopic surgical repair for epiphrenic diverticulum, associated or not to myotomy of the esophagogastric junction, is the treatment of choice. It is associated with less pain and complications, with a shorter length of stay. This technique is safe and efficient for treatment of the epiphrenic diverticulum.
Esophageal diverticulum; Surgery; Laparoscopy