A Case of Endoscopic Cricopharyngeal Myotomy for Pharyngeal Stenosis after Total Laryngectomy

Abstract

Endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy (ECPM) is an alternative procedure with less invasiveness but equal effectiveness as traditional transcervical cricopharyngeal myotomy. Here, we report a 70-year-old man with insufficient oral intake after total laryngectomy. Computed tomography findings and videofluorography indicated a protruded lesion at the posterior wall of the pharynx, causing dysphasia. We performed ECPM, and postoperative videofluorography showed adequate entrance openings in the esophagus with no adverse effects. The patient became able to follow a normal diet again. Although ECPM is generally applied for patients with brainstem infarction, this surgical method is useful for postoperative stenosis of the pharynx attributable to the residual cricopharyngeal muscle.