Total laryngectomy remains as an important treatment option in selected patients with laryngopharyngeal cancers, which inevitably sacrifices naturally produced voice. Much effort has been devoted to voice restoration for these laryngectomized patients. Several ways of voice rehabilitation after total laryngectomy have been developed and utilized thus far, including tracheoesophageal shunt speech, esophageal speech, pneumatic speech aid, and electrolarynx. Of these, tracheoesophageal shunt speech appears to be the most effective voice restoration method, while other trials might also be useful in special situations. Nevertheless, each method has its own unique mechanisms of voice production, thus has its advantages and drawbacks in clinical setting. In this review, we discuss the currently available management options for the rehabilitation of laryngectomized voice.
Humans ; Laryngectomy* ; Methods ; Rehabilitation* ; Speech, Esophageal ; Voice*

Cricoid Cartilage ; surgery ; Humans ; Laryngectomy ; methods ; rehabilitation ; Larynx ; Recovery of Function

Cricoid Cartilage ; surgery ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Laryngectomy ; methods

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to describe a new technique of combined hyoid bone and thyrohyoid membrane flap in laryngeal reconstruction after tumor resection, and to evaluate outcome.

METHODSSix patients requiring an frontal partial laryngectomy for cancer were enrolled between September 2008 and August 2012.

RESULTSNasogastric feeding was initiated within 24 hours. The mean times to swallow batter, ability to drink water and removal of the nasogastric tube were 2.6, 5.5 and 6.3 days. All patients had good respiratory function. There were no deaths, and no reports of postoperative dyspnea or dysphagia. The vocal quality was satisfactory, slightly deeper and raspy, and the volume was weak when calling. The final follow-up assessment was in August 2012, and the overall mean follow-up period was 29.5months, range 14 to 47 months. Case two subsequently underwent total laryngectomy for recurrence in the paraglottic space, but there was no evidence of further tumor recurrence at the final assessment.

CONCLUSIONSThe combined muscle-pedicle hyoid bone and thyrohyoid membrane flap is a reliable graft for one-stage repair of laryngotracheal defects, providing effective repair of the mucosa and cartilage support. Vocal quality, swallowing function and ventilation after the procedure were favorable.

Humans ; Hyoid Bone ; surgery ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Laryngectomy ; methods ; Laryngoplasty ; methods ; Larynx ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps

Contraindications ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; classification ; pathology ; surgery ; Laryngectomy ; methods ; Neoplasm Staging

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility and clinical characteristics of small partial laryngectomy without tracheotomy for T1-2 stage glottic carcinoma. METHOD: Forty-five patients with laryngeal squamaous cell carcinoma in T1-2 stage received small partial laryngectomy without tracheotomy. RESULT: All patients were primarily healed and were hospitalized for an average of 11.5 days post-operatively. In all patients, the function of respiration and the reflection of cough were normal, and laryngeal obstruction did not happen. The only postoperative complication was subcutaneous emphysema noted in 29 patients. Among them, subcutaneous emphysema extincted after 4-6 days in 26 patiens, only 3 patiens suffered from delayed healing because the subcutaneous emphysema extincted after 2 weeks. Mild subcutaneous emphysema did not affect the function of respiration and deglutition, healing of wound, and psychology of patients. All patients had been followed-up for 1-13 years. Only 2 patients died of tumor recurrence or metastasis. The function of respiration and deglutition were normal in the living patients, and no implanting metastasis on surface of trachea were found. CONCLUSION The theoretical foundation of small partial laryngectomy without tracheotomy for T1-2 stage glottic carcinoma has been well established. This surgical technique is feasible, safe and effective. It can significantly improve clinical outcome of T1-2 stage glottic carcinoma with minimal invasiveness. Furthermore, it can obviously abate the surgical, physiological and psychological trauma on patients.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Glottis ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Laryngectomy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tracheotomy

OBJECTIVE: Pharyngoesophageal stricture formation and dysphagia following total laryngectomy negatively affect quality of life and result in nutritional compromise that can be successfully managed with various techniques. This study was conducted to describe our experiences of office-based balloon dilatation by transnasal endoscopy, which can be performed by an otolaryngologist. METHOD: The present study investigated three patients who underwent transnasal endoscopy guided balloon dilatation of pharyngoesophageal stricture. The assessment was performed based on the number of procedures and recurrences, final subjective outcomes, and complications. RESULT: There were no post-procedural complications. In one patient, a scarric band was found after the procedure; therefore, steroids were injected into the stricture site. There were 2–3 balloon dilatations and the interval between dilatations was 3–6 months. All patients were able to tolerate solid diet after 2 or 3 sessions. CONCLUSION: Transnasal endoscopic balloon dilatation, which can be easily performed by an otolaryngologist in an office setting without sedation or general anesthesia, can be a useful modality for treating pharyngoesophageal stricture after total laryngectomy.
Anesthesia, General ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Deglutition Disorders ; Diet ; Dilatation ; Endoscopy ; Humans ; Laryngectomy ; Methods ; Quality of Life ; Recurrence ; Steroids

OBJECTIVETo study modified rat laryngeal transplantation model.

METHODSEighty isogeneic histocompatible F344 rats were randomized into control and experimental groups. Strome model of laryngeal transplantation was established in the the control group, and in the experimental group, the ascending pharyngeal artery was preserved and the base of the tongue, larynx and pharyngolarynx were harvested as a complex allograft followed by end-to-end anastomosis of the both allograft common carotid arteries with the recipient common carotid artery and the anterior jugular vein, respectively. The arterial and nenous patency rate and allograft viability rate were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe artery and vein patency rates and graft survival rate were 30%, 15%, and 30% in the control group, and 75%, 65%, and 80% in the experimental group, respectively, showing significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONIn modified rat laryngeal transplantation model, the allograft viability rate and vessel patency rate are improved, which provides a good model for immunological study of larynx transplantation.

Anastomosis, Surgical ; methods ; Animals ; Laryngectomy ; Larynx ; transplantation ; Models, Animal ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred F344 ; Vascular Surgical Procedures ; methods

OBJECTIVETo study the feasibility, surgical technique and results of laryngeal function preservation in surgical treatment for medial wall pyriform sinus cancer.

METHODSFrom 1992 to 1999, 31 patients with medial wall pyriform sinus cancer including stage I 1, II 4, III 14 and IV 12 lesions were treated. Partial resection of pyriform sinus and partial laryngectomy were performed, then, the remains of epiglottis and uni-pedicled sternohyoid myofascial flap were used to restore the defects of larynx. At last, the remaining hypopharyngeal mucosa was sutured to cover the wound of hypopharynx and for artificial rebuild-up. All patients received postoperative radiotherapy.

RESULTSThe 3- and 5-year survival rates were 62.1% and 43.6% respectively, with 77.4% patients having laryngeal functions (voice, respiration and deglutition) completely restored and 32.6% partially restored (voice and deglutition).

CONCLUSIONConservative surgery so introduced is feasible for selected medial wall pyriform sinus cancer patients with the lesion completely resected.

Adult ; Aged ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms ; mortality ; surgery ; Laryngectomy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pharyngectomy ; methods

In order to evaluate the availability of the lateral horizontal laryngectomy and anaplasty of epiglottis to treat some patients with specific supraglottic carcinomas and hypopharyngeal carcinomas, 17 cases of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinomas were retrospectively analyzed, whose tumors were located at the lateral margin of epiglottis, aryepiglottic fold, medial wall of piriform fossa and were treated by the lateral horizontal laryngectomy and anaplasty of epiglottis. The results showed that all cases took food by mouth in postoperative 9-14 days and subjected to decannulation in postoperative 9-15 days. Three cases had postoperative hoarse voice. The free-disease survival rate of 3 years was 71.4% in 14 cases followed up after the first surgical therapy, and the overall free-disease survival rate of 3 years was 85.7% after the second surgical therapy. It was concluded that the manipulations of the lateral horizontal laryngectomy and epiglottiplasty were simple. It could alleviate the postoperative symptoms of aspiration and bucking remarkably and shorten their postoperative recovery time, yet does not lower the survival rate of patients if laryngocarcinoma or hypopharyngeal carcinoma cases were properly selected.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/*surgery ; Epiglottis/*surgery ; Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms/surgery ; Laryngeal Neoplasms/*surgery ; Laryngectomy/*methods ; Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures/methods