Subtotal laryngectomy: outcomes of 469 patients and proposal of a comprehensive and simplified classification of surgical procedures

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2012 Jun;269(6):1635-46. doi: 10.1007/s00405-012-1928-4.

Abstract

Long-term oncological and functional results from a retrospective study on 469 patients over a 10-year period of subtotal laryngectomies (SL), 399 supracricoid partial laryngectomies (SCL) and 70 supratracheal partial laryngectomies (STL) are presented. The mean follow-up time was 97 months (range 60–165 months). Acute complications, types and rates of late sequelae, functional results, 2-year post-operative scores of laryngeal function and quality of life are reported. The observed long-term results were: SCL, 5-year overall and disease-free survival: 95.6, and 90.9%, respectively; 2-year post-operative laryngeal function preservation: 95.7%; STL, 5-year overall and disease-free survival: 80 and 72.9%, respectively; 2-year post-operative laryngeal function preservation: 80%. The performance status scale for laryngeal function preservation showed very high 2-year scores, with no significant differences depending on the type and extent of surgery. The adopted type of function-sparing surgery provided overall and disease-free survival rates that were somewhat better than those reported in studies based on organ-sparing protocols with chemoradiotherapy. The rate of total laryngectomy of completion in this series was 4.4%. A new classification of the current horizontal partial laryngectomies is also proposed, namely “Horizontal Laryngectomy System” (HOLS), based on the extent of surgical removal of laryngeal structures.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / surgery*
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / mortality
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Laryngectomy / classification*
  • Laryngectomy / methods
  • Larynx / physiology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Quality of Life
  • Recovery of Function*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Survival Rate / trends
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult