Endoscopic membranotomy of a tubular type esophageal duplication cyst performed on a 5 year old child

Abstract Duplications of the gastrointestinal tract are rare malformations with an incidence of one in 4500 [1] –12500 [2] . Esophageal duplication cysts represent about 10% of all foregut duplications and are classified as cystic or tubular type duplications [3]. The tubular type esophageal duplication cyst is a rare subgroup of the esophageal duplication cysts seen in only 5%–10% of all cases [4] . We report about a 5-year- old boy with such a tubular type esophageal duplication cyst presenting with dysphagia and malnutrition. To our knowledge this is the first report about an endoscopic resection of an intraluminal bridge using an insulated scissors- type knife SB knife (SUMITOMO BAKELITE CO., Tokyo, Japan). The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient could be discharged only one day after surgery. The follow-up endoscopy three month later revealed no evidence of residuals of the duplication or remarkable stricture. We conclude that the endoscopic resection of tubular type esophageal duplication cysts is a save and preferable therapeutic option also in children.