[Zenker's diverticulum--surgical management in a series of six cases].

Zenker's diverticulum is a protrusion of the posterior mucosal wall of the hypopharynx through the weakened muscular layer, between the oblique fibers of the inferior constrictor of the pharynx and the transverse fibers of the cricopharyngeal muscle (Killian's dehiscence). Pharyngoesophageal pulsion diverticulum is the most common of all the oesophageal diverticuli and is characterised by dysphagia, regurgitation, gurling sounds in the neck and aspiration. The current principles of surgical management includes a pharyngoesophageal myotomy accompanied by a diverticulectomy or a diverticulopexy. The same principles apply in both open approach and the endoscopic methods.