Surgical treatment of oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy. Report of two cases

Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (MM) is a rare myopathy that is characterized by ocular and pharyngeal muscle involvement. OPMD typically presents with ptosis, dysarthria, and dysphagia. It can also be associated with proximal and distal extremity weakness. We report two patients with the disease. A 79 years old female presenting with ptosis, dysphagia and a history of three aspiration pneumonias. The patient was subjected to a myotomy of the cricopharyngeal muscle of 4.5 cm of length. The patient had a symptomatic improvement and is in good conditions five months after the operation. A 75 years old male presenting with dysphagia and ptosis. He was operated, performing a myotomy of the cricopharyngeal muscle of 3.5 cm of length. Two and a half months after operation the patient is devoid of dysphagia.