OBJECTIVETo explore the surgical methods and evaluate the long-term result of laryngectomy in patients with supraglottic laryngeal cancer.

METHODS182 patients with supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma underwent operation from 1979 to 1999, with stage I 11, stage II 45, stage III 49 and stage IV 77 lesions. The choice of surgical procedure was decided with the disease condition of the larynx. The surgical procedures proposed by TD Wang were adhered to as: minor partial laryngectomy 36, major partial laryngectomy 85, subtotal partial laryngectomy with laryngoplasty 22 and total laryngectomy 39.

RESULTSThe ultimate rate of larynx preservation was 78.6% (143/182) with 69.8% (88/126) in stage III and IV diseases. The decannulation rate was 81.8% in cases with preservation of laryngeal function. The overall 3- and 5-year survival rates were 82.9% and 67.3%, with 76.88% and 57.4% in the advanced (stage III and IV) cases who survived with preserved laryngeal function. They were 82.5% and 67.0% in similar advanced cases who were treated by total laryngectomy. The difference in the survival rates between these two groups was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONIt is suggested that preservation of the laryngeal function be possible for advanced supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma without compromising the remote survival rate. To improve the rate of larynx preservation, one should follow the surgical methods suggested.