Automatic stapling devices in the surgical treatment of esophageal diverticula.

Experience is presented of 18 patients in whom surgical treatment of esophageal diverticulum included use of an automatic stapling device. Ten diverticula were pharyngoesophageal, three mid-esophageal and five epiphrenic. One-stage diverticulectomy with myotomy was performed in all cases. Postoperative follow-up was 6-66 months. The results were excellent, without early or late complications or recurrence.