Substitution Voice Rehabilitation After Open Partial Horizontal Laryngectomy Through the Proprioceptive Elastic Method (PROEL): A Preliminary Study

Current Status of Partial Laryngeal Surgery for Advanced Laryngeal Cancer: When and Why?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This paper aims to evaluate the evolution and current status of partial laryngeal surgery in the treatment of advanced laryngeal cancer (LC). Specifically, recent progress in the selection of both patients and tumors, together with surgical and rehabilitation innovations, have contributed to balancing oncological control with the maintenance of quality of life in naïve and radiorecurrent patients. The main aspect is represented by the recognized role of open partial horizontal laryngectomies (OPHLs) in this new era of laryngeal cancer treatment.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent advancements highlight OPHLs' efficacy for conservative management of intermediate to advanced stages of LC. Innovations such as supratracheal partial laryngectomy have expanded surgical options, offering a modular approach to complex cases. Improved understanding of tumor biology, enhanced imaging techniques, and more precise preoperative planning have led to better patient outcomes, emphasizing the importance of a conservative function-preserving surgical treatment. These advancements reflect a broader trend towards individualized treatment plans that prioritize both survival and quality of life. OPHLs play an important role in current management of intermediate/advanced LC, effectively balancing oncological control with the preservation of laryngeal functions. Critical factors include meticulous patient and tumor selection, the impact of surgical and technological refinements on functional outcomes, and the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach in treatment planning. Current evidence justifies the use of these interventions in many intermediate T-stage laryngeal tumors, even at risk of upstaging on pathological examination. The oncological results, the preservation of laryngeal function and the laryngectomy-free survival achieved with OPHLs appear to be highly competitive with those of non surgical organ-preservation protocols, aiming to introduce a new standard in the LC treatment.

Reducing the gap between science and clinic: lessons from academia and professional practice - part B: traditional vocal therapy techniques and modern electrostimulation and photobiomodulation techniques applied to vocal rehabilitation

This text is the continuation of the XVIII SBFa Congress publication. In part "A" we presented the analyses on clinical vocal evaluation. Part "B" focuses on vocal rehabilitation: 4. Traditional techniques of vocal therapy; 5. Modern techniques of electrostimulation and photobiomodulation applied to vocal rehabilitation. The numerous studies on the various programs, methods, and techniques of traditional rehabilitation techniques, and many with high quality of evidence, allow us to consider such procedures relatively well described, safe, and with known effects, accounting for the treatment of various vocal disorders. The scientific evidence with traditional techniques is recognized worldwide. New fronts of evolution, with electrostimulation or photobiomodulation used to handle voice problems, seem to be promising as coadjutant approaches. There are more studies on electrostimulation in vocal rehabilitation than with photobiomodulation; however, scientific evidence for these two modern techniques is still limited. Knowledge and caution are required for the application of either technique.

Reducing the gap between science and clinic: lessons from academia and professional practice - part B: traditional vocal therapy techniques and modern electrostimulation and photobiomodulation techniques applied to vocal rehabilitation

ABSTRACT This text is the continuation of the XVIII SBFa Congress publication. In part “A” we presented the analyses on clinical vocal evaluation. Part “B” focuses on vocal rehabilitation: 4. Traditional techniques of vocal therapy; 5. Modern techniques of electrostimulation and photobiomodulation applied to vocal rehabilitation. The numerous studies on the various programs, methods, and techniques of traditional rehabilitation techniques, and many with high quality of evidence, allow us to consider such procedures relatively well described, safe, and with known effects, accounting for the treatment of various vocal disorders. The scientific evidence with traditional techniques is recognized worldwide. New fronts of evolution, with electrostimulation or photobiomodulation used to handle voice problems, seem to be promising as coadjutant approaches. There are more studies on electrostimulation in vocal rehabilitation than with photobiomodulation; however, scientific evidence for these two modern techniques is still limited. Knowledge and caution are required for the application of either technique.

Preoperative prognostic factors for functional and clinical outcomes after open partial horizontal laryngectomies

BACKGROUND

In minority of cases, the clinical recovery of the neolarynx after open partial horizontal laryngectomies (OPHLs) can be challenging, possibly affecting the final functional outcome.

METHODS

One hundred and twenty-three patients who underwent OPHLs were selected. A series of clinical preoperative independent variables were considered. All patients were monitored for the following dependent outcome variables: sequelae; need for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy positioning; days before tracheal cannula removal and nasogastric tube removal; and length of hospital stay. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify significant associations between preoperative clinical variables and outcomes variables.

RESULTS

Multivariate analysis confirmed age, cT classification, body mass index, and smoking habits as significant prognostic factors for worse functional and clinical recovery outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Knowing what variables are significantly associated with worse clinical and functional outcomes can guide clinicians in defining the best surgical choice not only from an oncological perspective, but also for a better postoperative recovery.