Postoperative management of Zenker's diverticulum: Results of the American Bronchoesophagological Association survey.

INTRODUCTION: Although treatment of Zenker's diverticulum (ZD) is commonly performed by otolaryngologists using a variety of surgical techniques, there is little published data on the postoperative management of patients. We sought to determine practice patterns among members of the American Bronchoesophagological Association (ABEA) after surgery for ZD. METHODS: An online questionnaire was designed via JotForm™ and subsequently sent to active members of the ABEA. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Twenty-three members (6.6 %) completed the survey. Most (73.9 %) were fellowship trained in laryngology and reported performing >5 procedures per year. Most laryngologists reported employing multiple techniques including transcervical (TC) (73.9 %), endoscopic stapling (ES) (65.2 %), endoscopic CO2 laser (EL) (56.5 %), and endoscopic harmonic scalpel (EH) (4.3 %). Postoperatively, 52.3 % of respondents placed patients in 23-hour observation after TC, 66.7 % after ES, 69.2 % after EL, and 100 % after EH. 47.1 % of respondents used standard overnight admission after TC, as compared to 13.3 % after ES, 23.1 % after EL and 0 % after EH. Postoperative esophagography was utilized by 70.6 % of respondents after TC, 20 % after ES, 38.5 % after EL, and 100 % after EH. A peroral diet was started postoperatively on the day of surgery by 26.7 % respondents after ES but not after any of the other techniques. CONCLUSION: Most laryngology trained respondents employ multiple techniques for the treatment of ZD including at least 1 endoscopic technique. Respondents were more likely to hospitalize patients after a transcervical than endoscopic approach. Postoperative esophagography was utilized in most patients after TC, but not after ES or EL. Most respondents admit patients for 23-hour observation and start a peroral diet on postoperative day 1 regardless of technique.