Management of Cricopharyngeal Dysphagia With and Without Zenker's Diverticulum

Cricopharyngeal dysphagia and Zenker 's diverticulum result from cricopharyngeal dysfunction, a failure of the upper esophageal sphincter to relax at the initiation of swallowing. The focus of surgical management involves a cricopharyngeal myotomy that is performed by either an open or an endoscopic approach. The endoscopic approach offers faster operating times, a shorter hospital stay, earlier time to oral intake, and lower complication rates, but a role for open cricopharyngeal myotomy remains.