Functional outcome of supracricoid partial laryngectomy with cricohyoidopexy: radiation failure vs previously untreated cases

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the postoperative course and functional outcomes achieved in patients treated with supracricoid partial laryngectomy (SPL) with cricohyoidopexy. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: National Cancer Institute "Regina Elena." PATIENTS: Eighty-two consecutive patients who underwent SPL with cricohyoidopexy between September 1, 1988, and June 30, 2005, were evaluated. The patient cohort was divided into 2 groups: one affected by untreated laryngeal cancer and the other with laryngeal recurrence after radiotherapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The postoperative complications and functional outcomes of both patient groups were evaluated and statistically compared. RESULTS: No statistical differences were found between the functional results of the 2 groups of patients analyzed. CONCLUSION: Although a slightly delayed recovery of physiological functions of the larynx could be termed a disadvantage of SCL with cricohyoidopexy after radiotherapy, this operation is a reliable and useful procedure for selected patients with recurrent cancer who would otherwise have been operated on and received a total laryngectomy