Cricopharyngeal myotomy in dysfunction of the pharyngo-esophageal sphincter

Dysphagia due to upper esophageal sphincter dysfunction is usually diagnosed by cineradiography. If the treatment of an underlying disorder fails to improve swallowing or if the dysfunction is thought to be idiopathic, cricopharyngeal myotomy is considered the treatment of choice. In properly selected cases (i.e. significant dysphagia and radiological proof of pharyngo-esophageal dysfunction) cricopharyngeal myotomy offers complete or at least substantial relief of symptoms for three out of four patients. The use of an operating microscope is strongly advised.