Stomal recurrence after surgery for laryngeal tumours is an extremely
serious complication, with a dismal prognosis despite aggressive surgi
cal therapy or high-dose irradiation. Data from 209 patients who under
went total laryngectomy for cancers of the larynx and hypopharynx were
retrieved from the registry of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology
at the Hospital 'Virgen de las Nieves' of Granada. Stomal recurrence d
eveloped in 8.1 per cent of them (17 cases). We analysed several param
eters from each case: first, those parameters significantly associated
with stomal recurrence were detected, and secondly, a logistic regres
sion analysis was done. Three factors were found independently related
to stomal recurrence: T-staging, site of the primary tumour and prior
tracheostomy. Together with a review of the literature, we discuss ou
r findings and a proposal for management of the high risk patient.