Swallowing Problems

Laryngeal Suspension Surgery

During normal swallowing, the voice box (larynx) rises in the neck and becomes tucked under the chin. In many people with swallowing problems in the throat, the voice box cannot rise. Swallowing therapy is the most common method of treating this problem. In a few cases, the voice box can be lifted (suspended) with a surgical operation. Manofluorography is a good test to help select patients who might benefit from this operation.

Laryngeal suspension surgery is done under general anesthesia and requires one to two days in the hospital. It is important to realize that this procedure almost never restores swallowing to normal, but gives some improvement.