[Long-term results of swallowing after horizontal sub-glottic laryngectomy]

This is a retrospective study of 80 patients who have had a horizontal subglottic laryngectomy. The functional results were assessed by means of clinical findings at follow-up and a questionnaire. The mean time to decannulation was 32 days, and to removal of the nasogastric tube 25 days. 45% of patients had no fistula. Of the remaining 55%, there was a false passage for fluids in 90%. These fistulae remained patent for an average of 12 weeks. At one year and beyond, 40% of patients were on a normal diet, 33% were on ground food, 10% on a soft paste diet, 6% on a semi-liquid diet, and 10% were fed by tube. The factors militating towards poor function are age above 65 years, and previous radiotherapy.