Conservation laryngeal surgery

Extended partial laryngectomy with functional preservation using the rotational crico-thyrotracheopexy

Objectives

Glottic tumors with infiltration of the anterior/posterior commissure, and lesions with subglottic, cricoid, or cricoarytenoid joint infiltration have been highly controversial in the past, from the perspective of oncological safety. Although conservation laryngeal resection options exist, most are limited by the extent of resection proscribed by the technique and the postoperative functional results. Oncologically speaking, extended vertical hemilaryngectomy is often the optimal solution. However, limited reconstruction methods often compel total laryngectomy.

Methods

Eight patients with vocal fold malignancy, which infiltrated the anterior and sometimes the posterior commissure and with subglottic extension and resultant uni/bilateral vocal fold motion impairment, were treated by single stage extended vertical partial laryngectomy with rotational crico-thyrotracheopexy as a functional reconstruction of the laryngeal framework. Patients were evaluated with objective and subjective function tests.

Results

Histologic examination demonstrated tumor-free margins in every case. Definitive decannulation was successful in all cases within 2 weeks. All patients had a stable and adequate airway during follow-up and reported socially acceptable voice. Oral feeding was possible in seven patients.

Conclusion

Rotational crico-thyrotracheopexy, as a single stage reconstruction technique, is based on well-vascularized, readily available, appropriately shaped local tissues, without significant donor site morbidity or need for long-term stenting to reconstruct large laryngeal defects after extended vertical hemilaryngectomy for advanced unilateral glottic tumors and is applicable even with supra/subglottic invasion or infiltration of the contralateral vocal fold. An adequate airway can be achieved with socially acceptable voice and safe swallowing without compromising oncologic reliability.

Level of Evidence

4 (retrospective case series review).

The Treatment of Laryngeal Cancer

Successful management of laryngeal cancer depends on careful pretreatment evaluation of patient and disease factors to arrive at accurate staging, leading to appropriate treatment selection for patients with this highly impacting disease. Surgical modalities, including transoral laser microsurgery, open partial laryngectomy, and total laryngectomy, offer options, alone or in combination with radiation and chemotherapy. Treatment strategy for laryngeal cancer should strive for cure while maintaining the best quality of life possible for the patient. Achieving the goals of initial and salvage treatment for laryngeal cancer depends on executing a plan of care determined by the expertise of the multidisciplinary team.

Quality of life, functional outcome, and voice handicap index in partial laryngectomy patients for early glottic cancer

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aim to gather information about the quality of life issues, functional outcomes and voice problems facing early glottic cancer patients treated with the surgical techniques such as laryngofissure cordectomy, fronto-lateral laryngectomy, or cricohyoidopexi. In particular, consistency of life and voice quality issues with the laryngeal tissue excised during surgery is examined. In addition, the effects of arytenoidectomy to the life and voice quality are also studied. METHODS: 29 male patients were enrolled voluntarily in the study. The average age was 53.9 years. Three out of 10 patients with laryngofissure cordectomy also had arytenoidectomy. 11 patients had fronto-lateral laryngectomy with Tucker reconstruction, two of which also had arytenoidectomy. There were eight patients with cricohyoidopexi and bilateral functional neck dissection. Three of these patients also had arytenoidectomy. In bilateral functional neck dissection cases, spinal accessory nerve was preserved and level V of the neck was not dissected. None of the patients had neither radiotherapy nor voice therapy. Cordectomy patients never had a temporary tracheotomy or were connected to a feeding tube. Data was collected for 13 months for the cordectomy group, 14 months for fronto-lateral laryngectomy and cricohyoidopexi groups on average post-operatively. Statistical analysis in this study was carried out using the one-way analysis of variance, and the Post-Hoc group comparisons were made after Bonferroni and Scheffe-procedures.In order to determine the effects of arytenoidectomy, a regression analysis is carried out to see if there are statistical differences in answers given to the survey questions among patients who were arytenoidectomized during their surgeries. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between cordectomy and cricohyoidopexi group in answers to the University of Washington- Quality of Life- Revised survey part 1. (p = 0). A statistically significant difference was also established between cordectomy and fronto-lateral laryngectomy groups, as well as between cordectomy and cricohyoidopexi groups in answers to the University of Washington- Quality of Life- Revised survey part 2. (p = 0,036 and p = 0.009, respectively). Cricohyoidopexi group has given the lowest scores and the cordectomy group has given the highest scores in three survey questions representing the quality of life, performances and new voices. These ranges are also consistent with the laryngeal tissue excised during surgery (cricohyoidopexi > fronto-lateral laryngectomy > cordectomy). There was no statistically significant difference between groups in Performance Status Scale for Head and Neck cancer patients instrument. The difference between the Voice Handicap Index and Voice Handicap Index (functional); Voice Handicap Index (physical) and Voice Handicap Index (emotional) scores in three patient groups was not significant either. All of the patients evaluated that their new voices have similar functional, physical and emotional impact on their life. Decanulation and oral feeding times of cricohyoidopexi and fronto-lateral laryngectomy patients are found to be significantly longer than cordectomy patients. Lastly, the removal of arytenoid does not have any significant adverse effects on the quality of life, the functional outcomes, or the quality of voice. CONCLUSION: In the present study, all patients with early glottic cancer, treated with different surgical technics reported fairly good quality of life outcomes, functional results and voice qualities. This study also finds that the removal of arytenoid does not have any adverse effects on the quality of life and voice from the patients' point of view.