The laryngeal elevation is one of the most basic activities in the normal swallowing. It allows the esophageal sphincter to open by shifting the laryngeal structure anteriorly and superiorly. Dysphagia and aspiration may be caused by reduced laryngeal elevation.
We presented a technique to maintain the permanently elevated larynx for treatment of dysphagia caused by trauma or surgical resection of head and neck. Four cases diagnosed as insufficient laryngeal motion were treated by laryngeal suspension and by cricopharyngeal myotomy in order to allow swallowing function. To evaluate the effect of surgery, we compared the position of the thyroid notch pre and post operatively. Three cases undergone antero-superior laryngeal suspension became capable of eating orally. One case showed no change in swallowing due to insufficient suspension. This result showed that for the cases of dysphagia caused by reduced laryngeal elevation, the combination therapy we performed was useful for rehabilitation of dysphagia.
