[Total laryngeal extirpation in tumour recurrence following chordectomy (author's transl)]

A review of 18 cases of laryngectomy on account of tumour recurrence following chordectomy revealed a high incidence of post-operative salivary fistulae. The tumour recurrence was extensive, as seen from the extirpated larynx specimen, in spite of regular laryngological check-up examinations. Tumour recurrence rends to be localized in the anterior commissure and sometimes infiltrates into the prelaryngeal area. The poor long-term prognosis is stressed.