Safety and Efficacy of Submucosal Tunneling Endoscopic Septum Division for Esophageal Diverticulum

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Submucosal tunneling endoscopic septum division (STESD) is an endoscopic minimally invasive technique for treating esophageal diverticulum. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of STESD for esophageal diverticulum. METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled patients with esophageal diverticulum who underwent STESD. In addition to demographic and clinical information, we regularly followed up with the patients to evaluate recurrence. Costamagna and Eckardt scores were used to evaluate changes in symptoms. RESULTS: This study included a total of 62 patients, comprising Zenker's diverticulum (n = 23), mid-esophageal diverticulum (n = 13), and epiphrenic diverticulum (n = 26). The mean size of esophageal diverticulum was 24.3 ± 23.6 mm. The mean procedure time was 36.2 ± 17.9 min, and the mean hospital stay was 4.0 ± 2.8 days. Mucosal injury occurred in one patient, and perforation occurred in one patient. Besides, one patient developed symptom recurrence at 3 months after STESD. Both Costamagna score and Eckardt score significantly decreased postprocedure (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: STESD may be a safe and valid endoscopic minimally invasive procedure for esophageal diverticulum.