Uploaded April 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
Z-POEM is an increasingly adopted strategy for the treatment of Zenker’s diverticulum. This technique allows for a deep incision of the cricopharyngeal muscle up to its transition to the esophageal muscle layer, and therefore more complete myotomy than direct diverticulotomy. Several modifications of the standard technique have been demonstrated. The mucosal incision is most commonly performed over the septum and two tunnels are created along the cricopharyngeal muscle. Next, the muscle is transected. Recently, we have described a variation of this technique with the creation of a single tunnel, instead of two, to shorten the duration of the procedure. However, we have now shifted to a novel approach that obviates the need for double or single tunneling.After the initial mucosal incision, both submucosal sides of the septum are lifted, with a mixture of hydroxyethyl starch and indigo carmine. Then we proceed to direct myotomy of the septum. The distended submucosal space at both sides of the septum functions as a protective cushion and prevents mucosal injury. After 1 cm of septotomy, further progression becomes much easier due to the increased space created by the partial myotomy. Further submucosal injections are provided as needed in order to maintain protective cushions at both sides. Myotomy is extended up to the proximal part, approximately 2 cm, of the esophageal muscle to reduce the risk of recurrence. Prior to endoscopic closure, it is important to examine for remaining intact muscle fibers at the proximal part of the septum. In our experience, this modification further shortens the duration of the procedure with a median duration of 25 minutes and is helpful in the setting of fibrosis due to prior surgeries in the hypopharynx.
Z-POEM is an increasingly adopted strategy for the treatment of Zenker’s diverticulum. This technique allows for a deep incision of the cricopharyngeal muscle up to its transition to the esophageal muscle layer, and therefore more complete myotomy than direct diverticulotomy. Several modifications of the standard technique have been demonstrated. The mucosal incision is most commonly performed over the septum and two tunnels are created along the cricopharyngeal muscle. Next, the muscle is transected. Recently, we have described a variation of this technique with the creation of a single tunnel, instead of two, to shorten the duration of the procedure. However, we have now shifted to a novel approach that obviates the need for double or single tunneling.After the initial mucosal incision, both submucosal sides of the septum are lifted, with a mixture of hydroxyethyl starch and indigo carmine. Then we proceed to direct myotomy of the septum. The distended submucosal space at both sides of the septum functions as a protective cushion and prevents mucosal injury. After 1 cm of septotomy, further progression becomes much easier due to the increased space created by the partial myotomy. Further submucosal injections are provided as needed in order to maintain protective cushions at both sides. Myotomy is extended up to the proximal part, approximately 2 cm, of the esophageal muscle to reduce the risk of recurrence. Prior to endoscopic closure, it is important to examine for remaining intact muscle fibers at the proximal part of the septum. In our experience, this modification further shortens the duration of the procedure with a median duration of 25 minutes and is helpful in the setting of fibrosis due to prior surgeries in the hypopharynx.
