Laser treatment of symptomatic anterior pharyngeal pouches after laryngectomy
✍ Scribed by Ronald J. E. Pennings; Frank J. A. van den Hoogen; Henri A. M. Marres
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons
- Year
- 1999
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 174 KB
- Volume
- 21
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 1043-3074
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✦ Synopsis
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 2laser 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.