Clinical Experience with Tracheal Separation and Tracheoesophageal Diversion for Intractable Aspiration in a Patient with Spinocerebellar Degeneration

A case of intractable aspiration in a patient with spinocerebellar degeneration was reported. The patient was a 54-year-old woman suffering from spinocerebellar degeneration for about five years. She developed dysphagia, aphonia and dyspnea with the breakdown of the normal protective function of the larynx. She was admitted in our hospital where tracheostomy was performed ;the tracheal separation and tracheoesophageal diversion were successful. We then discussed these surgical procedures for intractable aspiration in patients with progressive neurologic disease, such as spinocerebellar degeneration, from the viewpoint of quality of life.