A Zenker diverticulum is an outpouching of the aerodigestive tract between the cricopharyngeus muscles and the inferior constrictor muscle in the anatomic area known as Killian’s triangle. This diverticulum may cause regurgitation of food, bad breath (halitosis), aspiration, weight loss, and dysphagia, or trouble swallowing. Such an issue is often diagnosed with a barium esophagram, or endoscopy.

Surgeons may fix a Zenker diverticulum endoscopically through the mouth or with a small incision on the neck. Both are very effective and depend heavily on the patient’s anatomy and the size of the diverticulum. Using an endoscopic stapler or a laser, the wall between the esophageal lumen and the diverticulum is lowered so that there is a common pouch. This way, the food cannot accumulate in the pouch. The pouch can be resected (diverticulectomy) or tacked to another area (diverticulopexy). A cricopharyngeal myotomy may be performed in conjunction. The patient is typically in the hospital for a day or so after ensuring that there is no leakage around the repair site. Patients often stick to a modified diet in the days after surgery. Other diverticulae are possible.

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Featured Faculty

Eric M. Genden, MD, MHCA, FACS
Dr. Isidore Friesner Professor and Chair of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery
Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs
Professor of Neurosurgery and Immunology
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Director, Head and Neck Institute-Center of Excellence for Head and Neck Cancer
Mount Sinai Health System

Michael Berger, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Division of Otology-Neurotology, Lateral Skull Base Surgery
Mount Sinai Health System

Raymond L. Chai, MD
Associate Professor, Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery
Mount Sinai Health System

Mohemmed Nazir Khan, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology
Mount Sinai Union Square

Diana N. Kirke, MD
Assistant Professor, Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery
The Mount Sinai Hospital

Scott Allan Roof, MD
Assistant Professor, Head and Neck Surgery
Mount Sinai Health System

Marita S. Teng, MD
Professor, Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery
Mount Sinai Health System

Mark Urken, MD
Chief, Division of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology,
Co-Director, Institute for Head and Neck and Thyroid Cancer,
Department of Otolaryngology, Mount Sinai Union Square
Mount Sinai Health System

Mark S. Courey, MD
Chief, Division of Laryngology
Director, Grabscheid Voice and Swallowing Center of Mount Sinai
Vice Chair of Quality, Department of Otolaryngology
Mount Sinai Health System

Matthew C. Mori, MD
Assistant Professor, Otolaryngology
New York Eye & Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai

Zachary G. Schwam, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Division of Otology-Neurotology, Lateral Skull Base Surgery
Mount Sinai Health System