Cricopharyngeal muscle origin transection for oropharyngeal dysphagia, a novel surgical technique

Cricopharyngeal myotomy improves pharyngeal dysphagia by resecting the cricopharyngeal muscle.

Our procedure, cricopharyngeal muscle origin transection (CPM-OT) is performed through a midline skin incision at the cricoid cartilage level under local anesthesia.

Sixteen patients demonstrated preservation of vocal fold movement without laryngeal nerve injury immediately after CPM-OT in the awake state during aspiration prevention surgery using the glottic closure technique. Postoperative videofluoroscopic examination of swallowing revealed the cricopharyngeal bar was absent and pharyngeal passage of the bolus and Food Intake LEVEL Scale was improved in all patients. CPM-OT is a feasible and less invasive treatment option.