Postlaryngectomy dysphagia masking as velopharyngeal insufficiency: a simple solution for an anterior neopharyngeal diverticulum.

Postlaryngectomy dysphagia is a common occurrence and can be a source of emotional distress that results in a decrease in quality of life among a patient population that is already exposed to considerable morbidity. One etiologic source that is less commonly reported as a source for postlaryngectomy dysphagia, and perhaps overlooked, is an anterior neopharyngeal diverticulum. Herein, we describe a postlaryngectomy dysphagia caused by a neopharyngeal diverticulum masking as velopharyngeal insufficiency of liquids. The liquid dysphagia was immediately relieved via transoral endoscopic approach using the Harmonic scalpel to resect and simultaneously coagulate the posterior wall.