title: Cricopharyngeal myotomy in the treatment of dysphagia.
abstract: Cricopharyngeal myotomy was performed on 60 patients suffering from cervical oesophageal dysphagia. Of 37 that had a Zenker diverticulum the diverticulum was excised in 24. All patients were free of symptoms on post-operative follow-up at 2-10 years. In 10 patients with a cervical oesophageal web or postcricoid stenosis, the ability to eat normal food was restored. In 7 of 9 patients with neuromuscular diseases affecting swallowing and 2 of 4 patients with cricopharyngeal achalasia, food intake improved after myotomy. Apart from 4 transient palsies of the left recurrent nerve and 2 patients with aspiration pneumonia, no serious complications occurred. Cricopharyngeal myotomy can be a safe and effective method to improve the swallowing and quality of life of patients suffering from cervical oesophageal dysphagia of varied aetiology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Lund, Malmö General Hospital, Sweden.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lindgren
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ekberg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000601:surgery*; D004936:Diverticulum, Esophageal / Q000601:surgery; D004935:Esophageal Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009132:Muscles / Q000601:surgery*; D010609:Pharyngeal Muscles / Q000601:surgery*