Cricopharyngeal Myotomy Treatment in Turkey
About Cricopharyngeal Myotomy
Key Highlights
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Targeted relief for specific swallowing disorders caused by a tight upper esophageal sphincter.Can significantly improve quality of life by reducing choking, coughing, and aspiration risks.Often performed as a minimally invasive procedure, potentially leading to less pain and faster recovery.Addresses the root cause of the problem (muscle hypertonicity) rather than just managing symptoms.High success rates in improving swallowing function when performed for the correct indications.
Who is this surgery for?
- Cricopharyngeal dysfunction or achalasia (failure of the muscle to relax).
- Zenker's diverticulum (a pouch that forms due to high pressure from the muscle).
- Severe dysphagia not responsive to dietary changes or swallowing therapy.
- Recurrent aspiration pneumonia linked to swallowing difficulties.
- Diagnosis confirmed by tests like videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) or manometry.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive diagnostic evaluation including a swallowing study and possibly an endoscopy.
- Complete medical history review and physical examination by the ENT surgeon.
- Pre-operative tests such as blood work, ECG, and chest X-ray as required.
- Discussion of all medications; you may need to stop blood thinners several days prior.
- Fasting (no food or drink) for a specified period, typically after midnight before surgery.
- Arranging for post-operative support and transportation home.
Risks & possible complications
- General surgical risks: reaction to anesthesia, bleeding, or infection at the incision site.
- Specific risks: injury to nearby structures like nerves (potentially affecting voice), blood vessels, or the esophagus.
- Persistent swallowing difficulties, leakage (fistula), or scar tissue formation.
- Voice changes or hoarseness, which is usually temporary but can be permanent.
- Rare complications like mediastinitis (infection in the chest cavity).
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial hospital stay for monitoring; a temporary nasogastric tube may be used for feeding.
- Pain management with prescribed medications and care of the neck incision.
- Diet will progress slowly, starting with clear liquids, then purees, and eventually soft foods as swallowing improves.
- Follow-up appointments to assess healing and swallowing function.
- Gradual return to normal activities, avoiding heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for the advised period.
- Possible referral to a speech-language pathologist for swallowing exercises.
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Typical hospital stay:
2-4 days
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Expected recovery time:
3-6 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering cricopharyngeal myotomy in Turkey, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in Turkey with ent departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform cricopharyngeal myotomy. MediFyr helps you compare ent specialists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for cricopharyngeal myotomy compare across other countries where we have data.
Robert Mehta, a 68-year-old retired history...
Robert Mehta, a 68-year-old retired history professor, had always been an avid foodie and storyteller. For over two years, he struggled with a growing and distressing sensation that food was getting 'stuck' in his throat, particularly with dry foods like bread and chicken. Meals, once a joyful social event, became a source of anxiety and choking episodes. He lost 15 pounds unintentionally and started avoiding dinners with friends. After numerous tests ruled out other causes, a videofluoroscopic swallow study revealed a hypertonic cricopharyngeus muscle, a tight upper esophageal sphincter that wouldn't relax to let food pass. His ENT surgeon, Dr. Evans, recommended a cricopharyngeal myotomy, explaining it as a precise cut to release the 'too-tight valve.' Robert was terrified of throat surgery but desperate for relief. The procedure, performed endoscopically, went smoothly. The first few days post-op involved a liquid diet and significant throat pain, but within a week, he tried soft pasta. To his amazement, it slid down effortlessly for the first time in years. Within a month, he was cautiously enjoying a wider variety of foods. Emotionally, he moved from a state of isolated frustration and fear to profound relief and regained joy. He describes the surgery as 'giving me back my table and my community.'
ENT Specialists for Cricopharyngeal Myotomy
Explore experienced ent specialists who regularly perform cricopharyngeal myotomy and provide pre- and post-operative care in Turkey.
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