title: Endoscopic laser vs open approach for cricopharyngeal myotomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To illustrate the safety and efficacy of the endoscopic laser approach for cricopharyngeal myotomy (CPM) compared to the traditional transcervical approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective chart review of 22 patients undergoing CPM from 1996 to 2003 at the Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The laser CPM technique was used in 14 patients, and an open approach in 8. The mean hospital stay and operative times were shorter for the laser group. Functional outcome analyses showed improvement in both groups. There were no major complications in the laser group, while 1 patient in the transcervical group had a pharyngocutaneous fistula.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The laser technique is at least as effective as the transcervical approach for CPM to improve dysphagia symptoms in the properly selected patient, with a low risk of major complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this report, we provide the reader with data to support the safety and efficacy of laser CPM.
  
  
  METHODS
  B-3b.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Malcolm Grow Medical Center, Andrews AFB, MD 20762, USA. eileen.dauer@andrews.af.mil
authors.forename: Eileen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dauer
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Salassa
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Iuga
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kasperbauer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000601:surgery*; D004724:Endoscopy; D049631:Esophageal Sphincter, Upper / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome