Dysphagia

The Center for Dysphagia and Swallowing Disorders at Baylor Medicine in Houston, Texas is an unparalleled collaboration between multiple specialties with dedicated interests in dysphagia. We provide a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach with a team of otolaryngologists, thoracic surgeons, gastroenterologists, radiologists, speech therapists, and nutritionists to evaluate and treat patients who have difficulty swallowing food or liquids. A commitment to research, advancing medical education, and measurement of outcomes allows us to bring best-practice and state-of-the-art technologies to our patients.

The center strives to establish a diagnosis quickly and we work carefully with each patient to establish an individualized treatment plan.

Pharyngeal Dysfunction

• Aspiration
• Cricopharyngeal bar
• Cricopharyngeal dysfunction
• Vocal cord paralysis

Esophageal Dysmotility

• Achalasia
• Dermatomyositis
• Esophagitis
• Esophagogastric junction (EGJ) outflow obstruction
• Hypercontractile esophagus (jackhammer esophagus)
• Ineffective esophageal motility
• Scleroderma

Reflux

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Hiatal hernias
• Laryngoesophageal reflux
• Paraesophageal hernias
• Barrett's esophagus
• Esophageal cancer
• Esophageal diverticuli
• Esophageal strictures
• Zenker's diverticuli

We offer the following treatments and procedures:

• Botulinum toxin (Botox) injection
• Cricopharyngeal myotomy (endoscopic/open)
• Robotic/Laparoscopic Heller myotomy
• Robotic/Laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair
• Robotic/Laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair
• Robotic/Laparoscopic Fundoplication (Nissen, near-Nissen, Toupet, etc.)
• Robotic/Laparoscopic LINX placement for GERD (magnetic sphincter augmentation)
• Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM)
• Speech and swallowing therapy
• Vocal injection/medialization
• Zenker’s diverticulostomy (endoscopic/open)
• Endoscopic or robotic/laparoscopic feeding tube placement
• Esophageal dilation
• Esophageal stent placement
• Photodynamic therapy
• Esophagectomy
• Minimally invasive esophagectomy
• Radiofrequency ablation of Barrett’s esophagus