[Partial supracricoid laryngectomies: techniques, indications and results]

The authors present results of a retrospective study on 99 patients who underwent a partial supracricoid laryngectomy. Indications included carcinomas developed on the laryngeal vestibule, in the ventricle or at the glottic level. This represents an alternative to total laryngectomy. Surgical techniques and functional results are discussed. Ninety-eight percent of patients could be decanulated and a regular diet was possible in 94%. The survival rates are 76% after three years and 68% after five years. Local recurrences occurred in 3% of cases and cervical metastases were not controlled in 13%. The authors comment on indications for surgery according to the site of involvement. Contra-indications are massive invasion of the pre-epiglottic space, extension away from the superior aspect of the cricoid and arytenoid fixation.