Transoral resection of supraglottic tumours using microelectrodes (54 cases)

We present the oncological and functional results of surgical transoral resection of supraglottic laryngeal carcinomas using microelectrodes. This prospective multicentre trial was conducted from 2005 to 2009. It included 54 patients (23 T1, 14 T2, and 17 T3) with supraglottic cancer, with a follow-up of 2 years. Outcome measurements were: tracheostomy, hospital stay, nasogastric feeding and recurrences. Four patients required permanent tracheostomies. The mean hospital stay was 8.1 days. Temporary nasogastric feeding was necessary in 13 patients. Postoperative complications included two incidences of haemorrhage requiring surgical intervention and one pneumonia. Four patients out of eight with T3 tumours had regional recurrence; in these cases salvage surgery was performed: two cases by the transoral approach and six total laryngectomies. Clinical results were similar to those obtained with CO2 laser therapy. We list other advantages of the technique and include a literature review.