Thyroid gland flap minimizes mucosal defects at supracricoid partial laryngectomy with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy

Wound infection is a major complication after supracricoid partial laryngectomy with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy (CHEP) for radiation therapy failure. A 60-year-old man received chemoradiotherapy for a glottic carcinoma. CHEP, reusing the thyroid gland flap (TF), was performed because the cancer recurred after a salvage vertical partial laryngectomy following radiation therapy failure. The TF was sutured to the supraglottis and cricoid cartilage mucosa to minimize mucosal defects before the hyoid bone and cricoid cartilage were sutured. Wound healing after CHEP was good without infection. After decannulation, oral food intake was possible without aspiration, and speech function was comparable to that of other patients who had supracricoid partial laryngectomies. Histopathological examination revealed a close connection between the TF and its surrounding tissues without fibrous scarring. TF may improve wound healing after CHEP for radiation failure by minimizing mucosal defects.