Modified supracricoid partial laryngectomy with cricohyoidopexy: Series report and analysis of results

Aiming to improve voice quality and to facilitate swallowing rehabilitation , we modified the supra-cricoid partial laryngectomy with cricohyoidopexy b y preserving the posterior segment of the true vocal cord on the less invol ved side of the larynx. Between 1983 and 1994, 13 patients with supraglotti c cancer were treated with this modified procedure. The possibility of inco mplete tumor excision was eliminated by careful patient selection and intra operative reconfirmation of tumor extent with frozen sections. Our results have been promising, with a 76.9% 3-year survival rate and a 69.2% laryngea l preservation rate. There were 7 recurrences, 3 local (2 at the superior b order of the cricoid and 1 at the cricoarytenoid region) and 4 nodal, in 5 patients. Distant metastases developed in another patient. Three patients, 2 with local and nodal recurrence and 1 with distant metastases, died of di sease. Functional outcomes were also good, with all patients achieving norm al swallowing by the end of the first year, although 5 patients required te mporary gastrostomy for transient swallowing impairment, Early decannulatio n and satisfactory voice quality were achieved in all cases, We believe tha t with proper patient selection this modified procedure is effective both f or tumor control and for preserving a more functional larynx.