Partial Laryngectomy Techniques in Voice Restoration Surgery for Hypopharyngeal Cancer

Abstract

A pharyngolaryngectomy for hypopharyngeal cancer precludes esophageal voice rehabilitation for postsurgical speech communication. Partial laryngectomy combined with a curative surgical removal of hypopharyngeal cancer is a modality to restore postsurgical vocal function for carefully selected patients. During the 18 years between 1974 and 1992, 64 patients received surgical treatments for hypopharyngeal cancer at the Chiba Cancer Center Hospital. Of the 64, 32 patients underwent voice restoration surgery. The oncological results were superior for the voice restoration surgeries to those for total pharyngolaryngectomy in terms of disease free survival. Surgical modalities including partial laryngectomy were indicated on the bases of anatomical sites of the tumor and its local extension. This paper describes three surgical modalities : (1) extended hemilaryngectomy (a modified Pearson technique), (2) posterior frontal partial laryngectomy and (3) supraglottis-saving subtotal laryngectomy. The indication and postoperative functional results of these techniques were presented.