[Severe dysphagia after traumatic cervical cord injury: improved by combined surgery of subglottic laryngeal closure and cricopharyngeal myotomy].

A 64-year-old man accidentally fell and, after that, suffered from quadriparesis. He was diagnosed with traumatic cervical spinal cord injury at the C2-C6 vertebral levels at a hospital. Due to respiratory muscle paralysis, tracheostomy and mechanical ventilation were initiated. Because of severe dysphagia, he required enteral nutrition. One month after the injury, he was transferred to our hospital. The posterior wall movement of the oropharynx, gag reflexes, and pharyngeal sensation were normal; however, laryngeal elevation was impaired. In addition to quadriplegia, hypoesthesia below the C4 dermatome, and urinary retention were observed. Despite intensive swallowing rehabilitation, he suffered from repeated aspiration pneumonia. Subsequently, a combination surgery of subglottic laryngeal closure and cricopharyngeal myotomy was performed, after which aspiration pneumonia no longer recurred, and oral intake was successfully resumed.