Supraglottic laryngectomy: short- and long-term functional results

Postoperative dysphagia versus neurogenic dysphagia: scintigraphic assessment

In order to differentiate the features of dysphagia that occur after supraglottic horizontal laryngectomy from those that occur during neurologic diseases, we divided 38 subjects into 3 groups and submitted them to oropharyngoesophageal scintigraphy. Group 1 (control group) included 15 healthy volunteeers; group 2 comprised 8 patients who had residual dysphagia at least 1 year after supraglottic laryngectomy; and group 3 included 15 patients with various neurologic and neuromuscular disorders. In group 1, the mean values (+/- 2 SD) of selected semiquantitative parameters were consistent with those reported in the literature for normal subjects. In group 2, oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal transit times were not significantly altered, and moderate tracheobronchial post-deglutitive aspiration was present (maximum value, 6.7%; mean value, 2.04%). The pharyngeal retention index was significantly increased (p = .0003) as compared to normal subjects in all cases (maximum value, 40%; mean value, 23%) and was associated in all cases with slight but consistent post-deglutitive aspiration. In group 3, the oral and esophageal phases were significantly prolonged and the retention indices were significantly increased. Statistical analysis documented a significant increase in oral transit time (p = .003), esophageal transit time (p = .01), oral retention index (p = .006), pharyngeal retention index (p = .0007), and esophageal retention index (p = .009) as compared to normal subjects. The swallowing pattern was also altered by 1) an early loss of the bolus from the oral cavity; 2) bolus fragmentation due to double or triple deglutition, reduced lingual propulsion, or the return of a small part of the bolus into the oral cavity during deglutition; and/or 3) double pharyngeal peaks in the activity-time curves. Tracheobronchial aspiration (maximum value, 90%; mean value, 9.70%) was present in some cases, mainly in patients affected by post-stroke dysphagia. On the basis of the obtained results and considering the low doses of radiation delivered to the patient (0.043 Gy), the limited invasiveness, and the excellent patient tolerance, scintigraphy appears to be clinically valid in the functional study of swallowing and in identifying different deglutition disorders.

Surgical management of head and neck cancer

Head and neck cancer surgery continues to evolve through the years and undergo improvement and refinement. In this article, the current state of head and neck cancer surgery is summarized in a site-by-site basis. The most important developments include organ-sparing surgery and microvascular free-tissue transfer for reconstruction.

Functional outcome and prognosis factors after supracricoid partial laryngectomy with cricohyoidopexy

A retrospective analysis of the medical records and operative files of 124 patients who consecutively underwent supracricoid partial laryngectomy with cricohyoidopexy (SCPL-CHP) was undertaken. The objective of this study was to analyze the postoperative course and functional results of SCPL-CHP. The mean duration of follow-up was 7 years (range 1 to 20 years). The postoperative mortality was 1.6%. The average times until tracheostomy and nasogastric feeding tube removal were 8 and 22 days, respectively. All patients but 1 were decannulated. The rate of pneumonia from aspiration was 11.5%. Completion total laryngectomy and permanent gastrostomy were required in 2.5% and 2.5% of patients, respectively. Overall normal swallowing without permanent gastrostomy and respiration without tracheostomy were achieved by the first postoperative year in 91% and 99.1% of patients, respectively. Univariate analysis of the potential correlation between various variables and the duration of the tracheostomy and nasogastric feeding tube, the incidence and causes of mortality, the incidence and type of the various complications, the recovery of swallowing, and the length of hospitalization is presented. The report also discusses the management and follow-up care.

Complications of supraglottic laryngectomy for carcinomas of the supraglottis and the base of the tongue

The medical records of patients with either a supraglottic carcinoma (n = 193) or a base of tongue carcinoma (n = 56) who underwent a supraglottic laryngectomy were studied. Because of aspiration total laryngectomy was required in 9.8% and 21.4% of patients with supraglottic and base of tongue carcinomas, respectively, being related to locally advanced stage of disease in the base of tongue and to an age older than 65 years in the case of supraglottic carcinomas. The non-decannulation rates were 23.8% and 50% in supraglottic and base of tongue tumours respectively. Post-operative radiotherapy did not influence the decannulation rate, but advanced local disease and age did. Post-operative mortality in the first month after the operation was 2.6% in supraglottic tumours and 3.6% in base of tongue tumours.

Supraglottic laryngectomy with or without postoperative radiotherapy in supraglottic carcinomas

A retrospective review of 193 previously untreated patients with primary supraglottic carcinoma was undertaken to ascertain the efficacy of postoperative radiotherapy. All the patients received a supraglottic laryngectomy, and patients received a total of 284 elective or therapeutic neck dissections. Ninety-four (48.7%) of the patients received postoperative radiotherapy. The incidence of local recurrence was 8.2% but the recurrence rate was unrelated to the use of postoperative radiotherapy. Neck recurrence was observed in 12.9% of patients, with no influence of postoperative radiotherapy in the dissected neck. The incidence of locoregional recurrences by stage in irradiated and nonirradiated patients did not reach significant difference. The 3-year survival was 74.3%. The overall survival of the whole series and by stage was not statistically altered in combined therapy compared to surgery.

Sixteenth Daniel C. Baker, Jr, memorial lecture. Surgical management of supraglottic cancer and its lymph node metastases in a conservative perspective

Supraglottic laryngectomy combined with functional elective or curative neck dissection is a priceless contribution toward treatment of supraglottic cancer and its lymph node metastases. The history and background of this conservative approach is reviewed. Results related to staging are presented. Irradiation as a combined or alternative therapy is considered.

Modification of compensatory swallowing in a supraglottic laryngectomy patient

Results are presented for repeated videofluoroscopic and scintigraphic examinations of a supraglottic laryngectomy patient, illustrating the successful use and later changes in a compensatory swallow. Issues in patient management are outlined, stressing the importance of interaction between radiologists and dysphagia therapists in the rehabilitation of such patients.