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Updated: Jul 18, 2026
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Published on: November 28, 2025
Long-term results and functional outcome after cervical evisceration in patients with thyroid cancer
Michael Brauckhoff1, Anja Meinicke, Udo Bilkenroth
1Department of General, Visceral, and Vascular Surgery, Halle/Saale, Germany. michael.brauckhoff@medizin.uni-halle.de
Background:
Surgical strategy in patients with thyroid cancer (TC) infiltrating the aerodigestive system is controversial. This study was undertaken to examine the long-term results of cervical evisceration (CE).
Patients And Methods:
Since 1995, 14 consecutive patients with advanced TC underwent total laryngectomy (LE, n = 6) or esophagolaryngectomy (ELR, n = 8). Patients with unusual thyroid neoplasms or metastases to the thyroid (n = 3) were excluded. For esophageal reconstruction, free jejunal grafts (n = 6) and gastric tubes (n = 2) were used.
Results:
Procedure-related morbidity and mortality were 42% and 14%, respectively. ELR was associated with a significant higher frequency of complications and reoperations compared with LE. Twelve-month and 30-month survival rates were 73% and 55%, respectively; 85% of the patients were satisfied with the surgical results. There were no long-term problems concerning food intake in the ELR patients. Two ELR patients were able to learn a substitutive voice.
Conclusions:
Cervical evisceration in patients with TC is associated with significant perioperative morbidity and mortality requiring careful patient selection. Regarding long-term survival, local tumor control, and patient's satisfaction, however, CE should be taken into account in suitable patients with advanced TC.
