Vertical frontal subtotal laryngectomy and immediate reconstruction of larynx with cervical skin flap

Vertical frontal subtotal laryngectomy, a procedure that can remove as much as 90% of the larynx, was used to produce a functionally acceptable neolarynx with adjacent cervical skin flaps. Thirty-four patients with laryngeal carcinoma underwent this operation. All patients were staged according to their physical findings before operation. Of these patients, 1 was lost to follow-up and 2 died from other causes 6 months and 4 years after operation respectively. The remainder are living and well without recurrence. The longest follow-up was 8 years and the shortest 14 months. Laryngeal functions were restored completely in 27 patients and partially in 7. We conclude that the procedure is best suited for the removal of anterior commissure tumor extending from both vocal cords to the anterior 1/3 or the entire length of the true cords and that if the tumor extends to the supraglottis or subglottis, this procedure is adequate as long as the posterior part of the larynx is not involved, leaving a sufficient safety margin.