The History of Open Conservation Partial Laryngectomy

Abstract

The origin of partial laryngectomy dates back more than two centuries. The first laryngeal surgical approach was median thyrotomy by Pelletan. In 1834 , initial tumor resection with laryngofissure was performed by Brauers. In 1851, Gurdon Buck left his name in history as the first to perform a laryngeal carcinoma operation. Following total laryngectomy, the first partial laryngectomy was performed by Heine in 1874. The first hemilaryngectomy was performed by Billroth in 1878 . These procedures can be said to have been born around the same time. Supraglottic partial laryngectomy was put into practical use in the 20th century. However, this variant was ultimately described by Alonso as functional preservation surgery in 1947. In the 1960s and 1970s, a number of partial resection procedures as functional preservation surgery were performed, and modern laryngeal surgery has prominently developed since then. In addition, as functional preservation surgery, a new operation called reconstructive laryngectomy or subtotal laryngectomy (supracricoid partial laryngectomy) was developed. However, reconstructive laryngectomy was a technique that gradually fell out of used due to complications associated with aspiration. Safely establishing and performing these surgical methods will require improving the treatment outcomes and stabilizing the postoperative function. To this end, it seems necessary to recognize the indications and limitations of these procedures.