Video on Zenker's Diverticulum Surgery (Endoscopic Staple Diverticulostomy)

Our office has produced a new video describing Endoscopic Staple Diverticulostomy to treat Zenker's Diverticulum.

We have the unusual honor of having treated patients throughout the United States for this rare condition. Patients we have successfully treated have come from as far away as Oregon, New York, Florida, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Arizona, etc.

For more information, please visit us here.

How Does Cervical Spine Surgery Potentially Cause Voice and Swallow Problems? [video]

It is not unusual for an ENT surgeon to see patients with swallowing and voice difficulties after cervical spine surgery. In particular, the ACDF surgery (Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion).

The key to understanding these issues is to first understand the anatomy involved.

The cervical spine is located in the back of the neck. In front of this spine is the esophagus (swallowing tube) and voicebox.

As such, when a spine surgeon goes through the FRONT of the neck in order to perform cervical spine surgery located in the BACK of the neck, (s)he has to move the esophagus and voicebox over to the side.

A plate is than fixated to the spine to fuse the cervical vertebral bodies.

Because of such manipulation of the esophagus and voicebox, it is not uncommon for a patient to complain of hoarseness and difficulty swallowing after surgery.

Fortunately, such problems usually dissipate with time, but not always.

Watch the video describing ACDF and how it can affect voice and swallow.

New Video of Phlegmy Throat

In this video, the patient suffered from a severe phlegmy throat after suffering from a stroke. His secretions did not pass down to his stomach, but rather collected in his throat causing constant throat-clearing and coughing up clear phlegm.

As you can see in the video, there is a tremendous amount of mucus pooling present.

Treatment was geared toward improving his swallowing function so that his secretions would not collect in his throat.

If you are not sure what normal is supposed to look like, click here.