The glottic-subglottic laryngectomy: Surgical technique, oncological, and functional outcomes

J Surg Oncol. 2022 Feb;125(2):145-150. doi: 10.1002/jso.26675. Epub 2021 Sep 20.

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this article was to describe the surgical technique and report the oncological and functional outcomes of the partial glottic-subglottic laryngectomy (GSL).

Methods: A retrospective review of the clinical charts of patients who underwent GSL for laryngeal cancer from 1989 to 2020 at the Otolaryngology Unit of the Vittorio Veneto Hospital, a referral center for laryngeal cancer treatment.

Results: The present article considered 36 patients who were submitted to GSL for laryngeal cancer. The pathological exam found squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in 16 cases, adenoid-cystic carcinoma (ACC) in 9 cases, laryngeal chondrosarcoma in 8 cases, 1 giant cell carcinoma, 1 carcinosarcoma, and 1 metastasis of colon adenocarcinoma. Considering the 16 SCC cases we observed a recurrence rate of 31%, the overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were 75%. The 9 ACC cases had a recurrence rate of 23% and OS/DSS of 88%. In the 8 chondrosarcomas no relapses were reported and the OS/DSS were 100%. Among the patients without recurrence of the disease, a definitive decannulation was achieved in 21 cases (75%).

Conclusions: The GSL represents a valid alternative to total laryngectomy in selected cases of laryngeal cancer involving the glottic and subglottic regions.

Keywords: carcinoma; glottic; laryngeal; partial laryngectomy; subglottic.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / surgery
  • Chemoradiotherapy
  • Female
  • Glottis / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / mortality
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Laryngectomy / adverse effects
  • Laryngectomy / methods*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Young Adult