Swallowing outcomes after cricopharyngeal myotomy: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND

No practice guidelines have been established for swallowing outcomes after cricopharyngeal myotomy (CPM). The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize evidence for swallowing outcomes in patients undergoing CPM to treat symptomatic cricopharyngeal dysfunction, in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol.

METHODS

Swallowing outcomes examined included penetration/aspiration ratings, manometric measures, patient-rated dysphagia scales, clinician-rated dysphagia scales, diet level, and weight.

RESULTS

Three databases were queried for studies published between January 1995 and July 2015, resulting in a total of 122 full-text eligible records. Studies were screened and reviewed, culminating in 10 studies meeting inclusion criteria. Critical appraisal of study design, swallowing outcomes measures, and statistical analysis were summarized.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review revealed insufficient evidence for guiding clinical practice. Future investigations should use validated patient-rated and clinician-rated instruments as well as detailed high-resolution manometry measures to optimally capture postoperative swallowing outcomes.