Conservation laryngeal surgery

Conservation laryngeal surgery is an increasingly available alternative for treatment of laryngeal cancer. In addition to the traditional techniques of vertical partial laryngectomy (hemilaryngectomy) and supraglottic laryngectomy, new techniques are now in practice that extend the indications to a far greater number of patients. The carbon dioxide laser is used to resect both glottic and supraglottic cancers. This procedure is best applied to early stage I and stage II cancers. Reports indicate superior functional outcome to open surgical procedures, with shorter hospital duration, less morbidity, and equivalent survival rates. The supracricoid partial laryngectomy is becoming increasingly popular for intermediate extent tumors. This novel procedure allows resection of transglottic tumors and tumors with vocal cord paralysis while preserving the patient's speech and swallowing and avoiding a permanent tracheal stoma.