[Current value of open-preservation surgery with special emphasis given to the supracricoid laryngectomy]

Open partial laryngectomies include a broad variety of vertical or horizontal partial or supracricoid laryngectomies. Especially in Germany the excellent results of the transoral approach in combination with the CO2 laser surgery radically have diminished the indications of the open surgical techniques for laryngeal cancer staged cT1-2. In patients with laryngeal cancer staged cT3 the role of open organ-preservation surgery remains to be defined in the context of extended treatment options for endolaryngeal CO2 laser surgery and conservative larynx-preservation approaches with concurrent chemoradiation or induction chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy. With regard to the reviewed literature this manuscript will discuss current indications and future roles of open partial laryngectomies with special emphasis given to the supracricoid laryngectomies.