[When there is pharyngeal obstruction].

Any narrowing of the throat not only impairs the patient's voice, but also his swallowing abilities and even more dramatically his airways. Changes of the patient's voice due to tumors, trauma or functional disturbances do not immediately endanger the patient's live but render his vocal communication abilities more difficult or even impossible. Swallowing disturbances--often not diagnosed at an early stage--may lead to a life threatening pneumonia due to repeated aspirations. Laryngeal airway obstruction can be caused by functional disorders of the laryngopharyngeal musculature, by benign or malignant tumors, or may present as a consequence of surgery and/or irradiation. A variety of treatment options are available to restore the patient's voice, rehabilitate his swallowing and maintain the airway patency. Often times minor surgical interventions (e.g. phonosurgery) help to improve the patient's quality of life, even in a palliative situation.