ENDOSCOPIC LASER MYOTOMY IN THE TREATMENT OF PHARYNGEAL DIVERTICULA

The endoscopic approach is a simple and cost-effective option in the t reatment of hypopharyngeal diverticula. Whereas almost a third of all endoscopic myotomies performed by UK otolaryngologists are carried out with the stapling technique, CO2 laser diverticulotomy has not been g iven as much consideration (Koay et al., in press). We report on the f irst British series of 15 patients treated between 1985 and 1993 with microscopic laser diverticulotomy. The follow-up period was four to 11 years. Complications occurred in three patients, two patients require d a repeat myotomy and 11 patients have been satisfied with their swal low since the operation. Our results are similar to those of larger st udies. The laser technique is more established than the stapling gun m yotomy and it has the advantage of superior visualization. It may also bt used in small pouches which do not admit the insertion of a stapli ng gun.