Abstract
Some reports suggest that vertical partial laryngectomy (VPL) following previous irradiation is an on-cologically sound procedure with excellent local control and survival rates, however, with an increased complication rate. The purpose of this retrospective study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of VPL for glottic carcinoma after failure of radiotherapy.
A total of 536 patients with early glottic squamous carcinomas (stage I, II) received radiation therapy between 1979 and 1994. Of 97 with locally recurrent carcinomas, VPL for salvage was performed on 35 patients (group A). In the same period, VPL was performed on 28 patients without radiation therapy (group B), and on 10 patients with previous irradiation in other hospitals (group C). The local control rates for VPL were 86% in group A, 86% in group B and 80% in group C, and the laryngeal preservation rates 80%, 86% and 80%, respectively. The 5-year survival rates were 84% in group A, 96% in group B and 90% in group C, and cause-specific survival rates 93%, 100% and 90%, respectively. The mean time of decanulation and removal of the nasogastric tube were 9 days, 12 days in group A; 8 days, 11 days in group B; and 13 days, 14 days in group C, respectively. The chondritis of the thyroid cartilage was found in 2 patients; one was cured with medical treatment in group C, the other required a total laryngectomy in group A.
Our results indicated that VPL is a useful and oncologically sound procedure for salvage of failure of radiotherapy.
