Nineteen cases with major resections of the head and neck were treated with laryngeal suspension and cricopharyngeal myotomy in an attempt to allow swallowing function postoperatively and avoid a total laryngectomy. Sixteen cases were available for evaluation. Eight cases (50 percent) were able to eat by mouth, 15 patients (94 percent )had a normal airway and 14 patients (87 percent) had intelligible speech.