OBJECTIVETo Evaluate the incidence rates and extents of deglutition disorder in patients with laryngeal carcinoma after different types of supracricoid partial laryngectomy.

METHODSRetrospective analysis of postoperative deglutition disorder in patients with laryngeal carcinoma after different types of supracricoid partial laryngectomy treated in our department from 2005 to 2009. The extents of postoperative deglutition disorder were evaluated using a homemade quantitative score table at 5-20 days postoperation.

RESULTSThe score of deglutition disorder was 2.71 ± 0.31 in the supracricoid partial laryngectomy-cricohyoidoepiglottopexy (SCPL-CHEP) operation group and 3.43 ± 0.64 in the supracricoid partial laryngectomy-cricohyoidopexy (SCPL-CHP) group, respectively. The deference was statistically significant between the two groups (P < 0.001). The coefficient between age and score of postoperative deglutition disorder was assessed by Pearson correlation analysis. The coefficient of correlation was 0.947 (P < 0.0001) in the SCPL-CHEP group and 0.907 (P < 0.0001) in the SCPL-CHP group. The incidence rate of deglutition disorder was 1/37 in the SCPL-CHEP group and 7/30 in the SCPL-CHP group, evaluated at 8 weeks postoperation (P = 0.012). The deference between the two groups was significant.

CONCLUSIONSThe type of operation procedure is an important factor affecting the occurrence of postoperative deglutition disorder in the patients after supracricoid partial laryngectomy, more serious in the SCPL-CHP group. The severity of postoperative deglutition disorder is more serious along with the increase of patient's age. For the elderly (> 70 years of age) patients with laryngeal carcinoma, the choice of surgical procedure should be more cautious, especially with the SCPL-CHP operation.