Cricopharyngeal myotomy in neurogenic oropharyngeal dysphagia.

OBJECTIVE Cricopharyngeal myotomy as an independent procedure has been performed on fourteen patients with a variety of neuromuscular disorders, suffering from neurogenic oropharyngeal dysphagia in the interval between 1994-1997. All of them were referred from a neurophysician or physiatrist after failure of improvement by medical treatment. METHODS The selection of patients for operation was based mainly on clinical evaluation and simple exclusion criteria without manometric studies. RESULTS There was dramatic improvement in twelve, with recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy and temporary pharyngeal fistula in two patients. No mortality was recorded. CONCLUSION We conclude that cricopharyngeal myotomy is a simple, safe and effective procedure with acceptable morbidity. It should be considered as a rehabiliation procedure for patients with dysphagia due to various neurologic disorders based on simple, clinical exclusion criteria without the need for the tedious, time consuming and expensive manometric studies.