Late assessment of results of cricopharyngeal myotomy for cervical dysphagia

Results of surgical section of the cricopharyngeus muscle in the posterior midline for treatment of upper esophageal dysphagia in nineteen patients are presented. Indications included a variety of neuromuscular disorders with or without Zenker's diverticulum. Follow-up study for as long as eight years reveals uniform success of the operation in properly selected patients, particularly as measured by the patients' response. There has been no morbidity or mortality related to the operative procedure.