Endoscopic dilatation and surgical myectomy of symptomatic cervical esophageal webs.

During a 10-year period a cervical esophageal web or stricture was diagnosed at rigid endoscopy in 57 patients. Of these patients 72% had restricted their dietary habits because of their symptoms of dysphagia. Cineradiography of the pharynx had revealed abnormalities in 90% of the patients. Dilatation of the webs was performed with semisolid bougies, the endoscope itself, or with balloon inflation. Twelve patients were treated by myectomy of the cricopharyngeal muscle because of unsatisfactory results from the dilatation treatment. Cineradiographic outcome and improvement in dietary habits as a result of the treatment are reported.