Background: The aim of this study is to describe the indications, surgical technique and results of horizontal glottectomy in laryngeal carcinomas.
Materials and methods: Twenty patients suffering from differentiated glottal carcinoma (15 T1b and 5 T1a) were treated between 1985 and 1994. A classic horizontal glottectomy, with some modifications, not extended to the ventricular fold or to the arytenoid, was performed in every patient. All patients followed a postoperative rehabilitative program. Time of feeding tube removal, decannulation and voice production were considered.
Results: No local recurrence was recorded in any of the patients, however follow up on 4 cases was only three years. No postoperative radiotherapy was used. Two patients died from cardiovascular causes. Post-operative average times were: discharge from hospital after 10.5 days; feeding tube removal after 7 days; decannulation after 9.5 days. No major pulmonary complications nor laryngeal stenosis following surgery was recorded. In all patients adequate voice production was achieved.
Conclusions: Our results show that horizontal glottectomy is a safe procedure in the treatment of laryngeal cancer. Local control of disease, provided case selection is very accurate, can reach 100%. Rapid and excellent laryngeal function may thus be obtained and the voice production is adequate in every patient.