Laparoscopic transhiatal resection of giant epiphrenic esophageal diverticulum.

SUMMARY.  Epiphrenic diverticula are rare. Their true incidence is unknown. Thoracotomy or thoracoscopy with resection and myotomy is the most common reported approach for the surgical treatment of epiphrenic esophageal diverticula. In patients with large epiphrenic diverticula, the laparoscopic approach is an uncommon procedure. In this case, the laparoscopic transhiatal approach was shown to be safe and effective over with short-term follow-up. However, long-term follow-up of this procedure is needed.