Pharyngolaryngeal closure after supraglottic partial laryngectomy

Choi, Eun Chang; Choi, Hong Shik; Kim, Young Ho; Kim, Se Heon; Koh, Yoon Woo; Park, Hun Yi

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Although the various methods of pharyngolaryngeal closure after supraglottic partial laryngectomy(SPL) have been reported, the difference of postoperative function and complications has not been adequately analyzed. Therefore, We investigated the relationship between different pharyngolaryngeal closure methods and postoperative function and complications.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
According to the methods of pharyngolaryngeal closure, postoperative complications, decannulation day and postoperative day when to start oral feeding were retrospectively investigated on 22 patients who underwent SPL. We divided the patients into two groups according to the methods of pharyngolaryngeal closure. In cartilage group(13 cases), the closure of pharyngolaryngeal defect was done with direct suture between the thyroid cartilage and base of the tongue. In perichondrial group(9 cases), the closure was done between preserved thyroid perichondrium and base of the tongue.
RESULTS
There was no case requiring either a gastrostomy or a persistent tube feeding in our series. Fistula occurred more often in perichodrial group(3 cases) than cartilage group(0 case). In one case of perichondrial group, total laryngectomy was performed because of a fistula. Also, aspiration pneumonia occurred more often in perichodrial group(2 cases) than cartilage group(0 case). Decannulation could be performed relatively earlier in cartilage group than in perichondrial group. Also, oral feeding could be performed relatively earlier in cartilage group than in perichondrial group.
CONCLUSION
Direct approximation between cut margin of the thyroid cartilage and base of tongue was safe, time-saving and reliable method of pharyngolaryngeal closure after SPL.