OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the outcomes of endoscopic cricopharyngeal myotomy in patients with isolated oropharyngeal dysphagia or with a small cervical esophageal diverticulum (<2 cm).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This single-center retrospective study included 60 patients with cricopharyngeal muscle dysfunction who underwent surgery between July 2014 and March 2024. Depending on the presence and size of a diverticulum, two endoscopic techniques were used: a tunneling approach (46.7%) and a combined approach (53.3%).

RESULTS

The mean operative time was 32±14 minutes. No intraoperative complications were observed. Postoperative contrast radiography performed on the first day after surgery revealed extraluminal leakage of water-soluble contrast in two patients (3.3%) without clinical signs of inflammation. In both cases, the defects closed spontaneously within four days with antibiotic therapy and dietary restriction. All patients reported a marked clinical improvement after surgery. Long-term outcomes were assessed in 50 patients (83.3%) with a mean follow-up of 31.6 ± 14.6 months. A statistically significant reduction in the severity of all assessed clinical symptoms was demonstrated (p<0.01). No recurrences of clinical manifestations were recorded.

CONCLUSION

Peroral endoscopic myotomy is an effective and safe treatment for cricopharyngeal muscle dysfunction. Endoscopic techniques provide durable, recurrence-free clinical outcomes over long-term follow-up.