Laryngofissure and cordectomy

Laryngofissure and cordectomy is one of the first of the successful surgical procedures for the cure of cancer limited to the vocal cord. When the lesion is confined to the membranous cord and the motion of the cord is not impaired, cure rates ranging from 85 to 98 percent have been reported. Decline in the use of the procedure is due to the success of radiation therapy in achieving comparable cure rates while preserving normal voice quality. Hemilaryngectomy procedures are now done where laryngofissure and cordectomy had previously been indicated. The more extensive procedure gives greater security due to wider margins of resection and increase applicability, particularly when the lesion involves the anterior commissure. Although the indications for laryngofissure have diminished, the surgeon may use it when a simple, less extensive procedure is called for.