Laryngeal Function Following Subtotal Laryngectomy

Abstract

Five patients with supraglottic laryngeal cancer were treated surgically using Biller's technique of 3/4 laryngectomy and five patients with transglottal cancer were treated using Pearson's technique of near-total laryngectomy. Recovery of swallowing and phonatory functions following these surgeries were compared with those following vertical partial laryngectomy.
3/4 laryngectomy: The time required for recovery of swallowing was longer than that following partial laryngectomy. Phonatory functions were satisfactory. Supraglottic cancer with a possibility of downward invasion was considered to be safely treated with this procedure.
Near-total laryngectomy: Transglottal cancer was considered to be safely treated with this technique. Although permanent tracheostomy was necessary, phonatory functions were satisfactory.
These two laryngectomy techniques could extend the limits of partial laryngectomy and thus reduce the number of total laryngectomies.
The oncological safety of near-total laryngectomy is expected to be comparable to that of total laryngectomy.3/4 laryngectomy can be safely applied in selected cases.