Effect of cricopharyngeal myotomy on pharyngoesophageal function: pre- and postoperative cineradiographic findings

The pre- and postoperative cineradiographic findings in 14 dysphagic patients who underwent cricopharyngeal myotomy were compared. The reason for the operation was Zenker's diverticulum (7 patients), lack of cricopharyngeal coordination (5 patients), or a cervical esophageal web (2 patients). After the operation the function of the epiglottis, laryngeal vestibule, and pharyngeal constrictors was unaltered (11 patients) or improved (3 patients), although 4 cases showed residual impression due to the cricopharyngeal muscle. Postoperatively, 9 patients developed defective peristalsis and 10 had impaired tonicity of the cervical esophagus. It is concluded that myotomy alters the motor function of the pharyngoesophageal segment considerably. Moreover, certain functions of the pharynx proper are changed by this procedure.