Ann Oto Rhinol Laryn
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Ann Oto Rhinol Laryn · Jul 1997
Comparative StudyEpiglottic position after cricothyroidotomy: a comparison with tracheotomy.
Dysphagia is a known problem in patients with tracheotomy, but its association with cricothyroidotomy is not well studied. The purpose of this study was to evaluate dysphagia in patients with cricothyroidotomy and to determine if there is a reliable indicator of swallowing dysfunction in these patients. A review of charts for patients with modified barium swallow studies conducted at the New York University Medical Center Swallowing Disorders Center yielded three groups of patients: patients with cricothyroidotomy, patients with tracheotomy, and normal patients. ⋯ One mechanism of swallowing dysfunction is impaired posterior displacement of the epiglottis over the glottic aperture. This impaired epiglottic motion appears to be related to restricted laryngeal elevation secondary to tethering of the larynx anteriorly at the site of the cricothyroidotomy. Additionally, we noted a decrease in the opening of the upper esophageal sphincter.