[Supraglottic laryngectomy: 3-year and 5-year results]

A series of 84 patients who underwent horizontal supraglottic laryngectomy between 1980 and 1995 were analyzed. All patients were men, mean age 56 years. Neck metastases were found in 37 patients; 17 patients had stage I disease, 22 stage II, 13 stage III and 32 stage IV. One patient died in the postoperative period. Pharyngocutaneous fistula was the most frequent complication, being present in 10.7% of patients. The 3-year and 5-year survival rates were 78.9 and 74.2%, respectively. Local control was 91.6% at 3-years and 90.4% at 5-years. Local recurrences occurred in 6 patients, all of whom were salvaged by total laryngectomy and radiotherapy. Neck failure occurred in 15 patients, 2 of who were salvaged with further treatment. Second primary tumors appeared in 10 patients, 30% in the head and neck, after a mean interval of 77 months.