Rate of occult neck nodal metastasis in primary and salvage laryngectomy

Radiologic findings of occult nodal metastasis during clinically-N0 salvage total laryngectomy

INTRODUCTION

Occult nodal disease (OND) during clinically-N0 salvage total laryngectomy (TL) can be detected with the Neck-Imaging-Reporting-and-Data-Systems (NI-RADS). However, some patients will still have OND revealed on final pathology.

METHODS

A retrospective study on all patients who had OND during salvage TL with elective neck dissection (END) between 2009 and 2021 was performed. Repeat CT and PET scan interpretation was performed to evaluate their preoperative imaging for suspicious features.

RESULTS

Among 81 salvage TL patients undergoing END, 12 (16%) had OND and a total of 26 occult nodes were identified. On pathology, the average node length [SD] was 0.6 cm [0.3]. On CT, 31% (8 of 26) had rounded morphology. On PET, most had SUVmax below blood pool. One patient scored NI-RADS 2; the rest scored 1.

CONCLUSIONS

On re-review of preoperative imaging, occult nodes were subtle and challenging to identify. Despite no clear impact on survival, performing an END may provide prognostic information.

Pharyngeal reconstruction after total laryngectomy with sliding epiglottis: technical aspects with retrospective review

Introduction

Several techniques have been employed for defect reconstruction after total laryngectomy, among others sliding epiglottoplasty. As there is a paucity of data on sliding epiglottoplasty after total laryngectomy, this study aimed to present this reconstruction technique in detail with the retrospective analysis of the patients.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed single-center medical records of patients who underwent pharyngeal reconstruction after total laryngectomy between 2007-2013, with a follow-up to 2020. The study included patients who had total laryngectomy performed followed by a primary closure or sliding epiglottoplasty. The patients were divided according to the pharyngeal reconstruction technique: sliding epiglottis (n = 38) and primary closure (n = 120).

Results

The baseline characteristics of patients, TNM stages, and previous treatment strategies did not differ significantly between the sliding epiglottis and primary closure group. The postoperative complication rates, including the pharyngocutaneous fistulae formation and strictures were comparable between the analyzed groups; however, a slightly higher incidence of pharyngocutaneus fistulae was noted within the patients after sliding epiglottoplasty. Overall 3-year survival of patients who underwent the epiglottoplasty and primary closure group were 73.7% vs. 57.5%, respectively.

Conclusions

Sliding epiglottoplasty is considered a safe reconstruction technique. Although slightly better outcomes were noted within the epiglottoplasty group, it is still considered inferior to the primary closure. This technique ought to be considered in meticulously selected patients in whom primary closure is not feasible, epiglottis with nearby structures is spared from disease, and when the distal flaps are less appropriate or contraindicated.