BackgroundCricopharyngeal dysfunction is a narrowing at the level of the upper oesophageal sphincter caused by failed or incomplete sphincter opening as a result of lack of pharyngoesophageal coordination or reduction in the muscular compliance of the upper oesophageal sphincter. Oropharyngeal dysphagia is a typical symptom. Videomanometry allows direct comparison of pressure readings with dynamic anatomy during swallowing.MethodsThis is a prospective randomized pilot study that compares the effect of balloon dilatation and laser myotomy in cricopharyngeal dysfunction. We used videomanometry as an objective measure and the Swedish version of Sydney Swallowing Questionnaire as patient’s self-assessment at baseline and 1 and 6 months after treatment.ResultsThe UES sagittal diameter increased from 5.6 mm pre-operatively to 8.4 mm 6 months post-operatively with no differences between treatment groups. Preoperative mean Sydney Swallowing Questionnaire score was 770 and 6 months post-operative score 559, with no difference between the treatments in our cohort.ConclusionCricopharyngeal dysfunction treatment by either laser myotomy or balloon dilatation improved upper oesophageal sphincter opening during at least 6 months.Trial registration: ISRCTN84905610, date: 081214

Swallowing and voice problems after TL are common. Thus, the preoperative information and assessment of these functions, as well as the treatment and the post-operative rehabilitation should be evaluated and optimised to provide better functional results after treatment of advanced larynx cancer.

Objectives/Hypothesis The aims were to determine health‐related quality of life (HRQoL), including voice problems, dysphagia, depression, and anxiety after total laryngectomy (TL), and investigate the associations between HRQoL and the late effects. Study Design Cross‐sectional study. Methods 172 participants having received a TL 1.6 to 18.1 years ago for laryngeal/hypopharyngeal cancer filled in the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire, Core and Head and Neck module (EORTC QLQ‐C30, EORTC QLQ‐H&N35), Voice‐Related Quality of Life questionnaire (V‐RQOL), M.D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaires. Results Participants scored worse than normative reference populations on all scales/items of the EORTC questionnaires, except one, and almost half of the scales/items showed a clinically relevant difference. Moderate/severe dysphagia was present in 46%, moderate/severe voice problems in 57%, depression in 16%, and anxiety in 20%. Decreasing age, increasing numbers of comorbidities, increasing voice problems, increasing dysphagia, and increasing depression symptoms, were associated with a lowered EORTC QLQ‐C30 summary score. Conclusion A substantial proportion of participants experienced clinically significant late effects and increasing levels of these were associated with a lowered HRQoL. Level of Evidence 3 Laryngoscope, 132:980–988, 2022