[Management of lymph node metastases in larynx surgery with organ preservation]

The method of lymph node metastases management in sparing larynx surgery is presented. Described method consist in simultaneous, bilateral lymphadenectomy, as suggested by Bocca, and partial larynx resection. The effectiveness of the above treatment was evaluated in the group of 85 patients suffering glottic and supraglottic planoepithelial carcinoma. In this series, in 22 cases nodal metastases were histologically confirmed. In 6 patients bilateral nodal metastases were found. In any case the radiation therapy was introduced, because postradiation tissue reaction destroy functional principles of the operation. During several months of follow up in only 3 cases nodal recurrence was detected. The evaluation of treatment outcome proved that bilateral lymphadenectomy, as suggested by Bocca, is highly effective in management of lymph node metastases.