Mara Teodora Zara

Dr. Mara Teodora Zara


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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BCBogdan Mihnea Ciuntu
Bogdan Mihnea Ciuntu
ALAndreea Ludusanu
Andreea Ludusanu
MZMara Teodora Zara
Mara Teodora Zara
MCMihaela Corlade-Andrei
Mihaela Corlade-Andrei
ATAdelina Tanevski
Adelina Tanevski
GBGheorghe Balan
Gheorghe Balan
Background: Zenker’s diverticulum arises from the posterior hypopharyngeal wall through Killian’s dehiscence and predominantly affects older adults. Surgical and endoscopic treatments may be complicated by adverse events, including recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, cervical emphysema, mediastinitis, and pharyngoesophageal fistula formation. Methods: We report the case of a 69-year-old male who underwent open surgical treatment for Zenker’s diverticulum and subsequently developed an upper esophageal fistula complicated by a retroesophageal abscess. Results: The patient was treated using an externally adapted endoluminal vacuum-assisted closure system (EndoVAC), which enabled continuous drainage, local lavage, and progressive closure of the esophageal defect. Conclusions: Endo-VAC therapy represents a safe and minimally invasive therapeutic option for the management of postoperative esophageal fistulas following Zenker’s diverticulum surgery and may reduce the need for extensive esophageal reconstruction.