Robotic Cricopharyngeal Myotomy for the Treatment of Cricopharyngeal Bars.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2025

Publication Title

Surgical endoscopy

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Failure of the cricopharyngeal muscle to relax leads to the formation of a cricopharyngeal (CP) bar which causes dysphagia and increased risk for aspiration. Open myotomy is one definitive treatment option; however, there are several drawbacks including a long neck incision, possible drain placement, and invasiveness of the procedure. We aim to share an updated dataset of our experience using the DaVinci robotic platform to perform a minimally invasive CP myotomy, which has never been described before prior to our original dataset.

METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of consecutive robotic CP myotomies performed in adult patients by a single surgeon from August 2021 to March 2024. Outcomes of interest included length of procedure, time to diet resumption, hospital length of stay, complications, symptom improvement at follow-up, and symptom recurrence.

RESULTS: Twenty-five robotic CP myotomies were performed. The median age was 72 years old (62-91) and near evenly split between sexes (n = 13 female, 52%) with a median BMI of 28.5 kg/m

CONCLUSION: Robotic cricopharyngeal myotomy represents a promising treatment for cricopharyngeal bars with cervical dysphagia with encouraging safety and efficacy.

DOI

10.1007/s00464-025-11892-1

ISSN

1432-2218

PubMed ID

40897872

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS