Surgical closure of the larynx for intractable aspiration

Surgical closure of the glottis is reserved for patients who have suffered progressive loss of sphincteric and phonatory laryngeal function. In the prevention of life-threatening aspiration, a triple-layer closure is performed with use of a superiorly based sternohyoid muscle flap. Surgical closure is theoretically reversible should sufficient neuromuscular function return in any given patient.