The cricopharyngeal sphincter in gastric reflux

This study was prompted by a clinical association noted between reflux oesophagitis and upper oesophageal disorders. Patients with reflux oesophagitis have been shown to have a significantly raised resting cricopharyngeal pressure. Patients with reflux oesophagitis (36%) complaining of dysphagia localized to the throat also had a high resting cricopharyngeal pressure. Successful repair of a hiatus hernia restored the cricopharyngeal pressure to within the normal range. Four of the five patients studied who had a pharyngeal pouch also had a raised cricopharyngeal pressure.