Esophageal diverticula can be divided into pharyngo-oesophageal diverticula, mid-oesophageal diverticula and supradiaphragmatic diverticula. Small diverticula that are asymptomatic in the early stages do not need to be treated. When the diverticulum of the pharyngo-oesophageal diverticulum increases in size, the symptoms get progressively worse and there is a tendency for complications, it should be surgically removed. Most diverticula in the middle oesophagus are asymptomatic.
Surgery is required once food retention or symptoms become apparent within the diverticulum, or if oesophageal cancer is suspected. Patients with asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic supradiaphragmatic diverticula can be treated conservatively, while those with symptoms should be treated surgically and the combined oesophageal motility disorders should be managed.