[The evaluation of cordectomy cases without tracheotomy in laryngeal cancer]

We evaluated the technique of laryngofissure cordectomy without tracheotomy in patients with T1a laryngeal carcinoma.

Twelve male patients (mean age 55 years; range 47 to 68 years) who were diagnosed with T1a laryngeal carcinoma and treated with cordectomy without tracheotomy between January 2005 and March 2008 in our clinic were evaluated with retrospective review of medical charts. They were all treated with laryngofissure and cordectomy. The cord with carcinoma was excised with the inner perichondrium of thyroid cartilage and surgical margins were examined hystopatologically with frozen section. Postoperative oncologic and functional results were evaluated.

None of the patients were treated with preoperative or postoperative tracheotomy. Oral nutrition was initiated on the 3rd postoperative day and the patients were discharged. No tumor recurrences were seen in the postoperative follow-ups.

Although the surgical area is slightly restricted due to the use of entubation tube, cordectomy without tracheotomy had better functional results and the oncological results were unchanged compared to cordectomy with tracheotomy. Since the procedure is without tracheotomy, psychological adaptation period of the patients was shorter compared to the patients treated cordectomies with tracheotomy.