Abstract
Superior thyroid artery was catheterized using Fogarty E-040-4F catheter. The balloon was removed and a small notch was left at the tip. The catheter was inserted in the superior thyroid artery up to the small notch and the catheter was fixed tight by two ligatures, the notch being being in between. This fixation using the notch makes the catheter slip-off free.
5-FU is infused combined with irradiation.
A heparin solution with antibiotics is also infused inbetween. The wound is opened again for the change and removal of the catheter. Swallowing is not disturbed by the catheterization.
Case 1. 73 year old male with a huge transglottic cancer. Both superior thyroid arteries were catheterized. These made the right superior laryngeal artery and the left cricothyroid branch infused. The voice was restored with the remarkable shrinkage of the tumor.
Case 2. 49 year old male, bilateral involvement of the cords. Hoarseness improved with the shrinkage of the tumor.
The follow-up study is done by spine position through the nose by flexible nasopharyngolaryngoscope and the tracheostoma by lateraloscope. The arteriograms and pigment studies of the superior laryngeal artery and the cricothyroid branch were reported.
The catheterization and infusion of the superior thyroid artery will be of use for the advanced laryngeal cancer. The laryngeal function will also be preserved by the method.
Cancer of the hypopharynx will be included in the indication.
