[Anterior diverticulum after total laryngectomy]. / Uchylki przedniej sciany gardla po laryngektomii calkowitej.

UNLABELLED: Pharyngeal anterior diverticulum, also known as pseudoepiglottis is one of the most common disorders after total laryngectomy. THE AIM OF THIS STUDY: was to evaluate frequency of diverticulum after different types of total laryngectomy and severity of dysphagia in patient with developed pseudoepiglottis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The material consisted of 80 patients after following surgeries: total laryngectomy with hyoid bone resection, total laryngectomy without hyoid bone resection, total laryngectomy with hyoid bone and base of tongue resection, total laryngectomy and partial pharyngectomy with hyoid bone resection and total laryngectomy and partial pharyngectomy with hyoid bone and base of tongue resection. To evaluate morphologic and functional disorders clinical examination, videopharyngoscopy and cineradiography of swallow act were performed. RESULTS: Pseudoepiglottis was present in 34 (43%) of patients, mainly after surgeries without hyoid bone resection. There was no correlation between diverticulum formation and pharyngeal closure (muscular or non-muscular), shape of closure (vertical or "T"), pharyngocutaneous fistula, radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that leaving hyoid bone is a major risk factor for developing pseudoepiglottis.

Treatment of esophageal achalasia (cardiospasm) with diaphragmatic graft: report of 44 patients.

Results with the use of a diaphragmatic graft in the surgical relief of achalasia are reported for 44 patients. The operative technique involves construction of a pedicle flap of diaphragm the size of the muscular defect on the lower segment of the esophagus and suture of the transplanted diaphragmatic pedicle to the site of the esophageal muscular defect. Immediate operative results were good; there was only one complication, a case of pneumonia that was cured. Patients were followed from 3 months to 19 years. Two patients were lost to follow-up. Excellent results were obtained in 39 patients; 3 patients still had nausea and heartburn, but were better than before operation. This procedure has three advantages: (1) it prevents occurrence of fistula and diverticulum at the site of the esophageal muscular defect; (2) it effectively eliminates formation of restenosis due to scar and reflux esophagitis; and (3) it allows the cardia to recover its normal function and the esophagus to return to normal size at the site of operation.