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Laser treatment of symptomatic anterior pharyngeal pouches after laryngectomy
Author(s) -
Pennings Ronald J. E.,
van den Hoogen Frank J. A.,
Marres Henri A. M.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0347(199907)21:4<310::aid-hed3>3.0.co;2-d
Subject(s) - laryngectomy , pouch , medicine , swallowing , surgery , pharynx , pharyngeal pouch , arytenoid cartilage , larynx
Background An anterior pharyngeal pouch is a common anatomic variation after total laryngectomy. The exact part the pouch has to play in postlaryngectomy swallowing disorders is unknown but might be bigger than expected. Methods Nine patients with a symptomatic pouch were treated with CO 2 laser and questioned about pre‐ and postoperative complaints. Results Eight out of nine patients noticed an obvious improvement of their swallowing complaints after laser surgery. Conclusion Based on the results, it is concluded that CO 2 ‐laser treatment with division of the bar of tissue posterior to the pouch is seen as a safe and simple way to treat patients for symptoms that can be wrongly attributed to a total laryngectomy. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 21: 310–314, 1999.