Feasibility of high-flow nasal oxygen therapy and two-stage sedation during endoscopic hypopharyngeal therapy.

Background: Structural disorders of the hypopharynx can lead to dysphagia-related morbidity. Endoscopic therapy in this area, for example, myotomy for Zenker's diverticulum (ZD), has traditionally been performed under general anesthesia (GA). We have developed a two-stage sedation process, which is used along with high-flow nasal oxygen therapy (HFNOT) to facilitate endoscopic hypopharyngeal procedures.