Narrow-field supracricoid partial laryngectomy: Procedure development and initial clinical experiences

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Surgical Oncology
• Minimally Invasive Surgery

Background:

• Glottic cancers require effective surgical treatment.
• Supracricoid partial laryngectomy (SCPL) is a standard oncologic procedure.
• Minimally invasive approaches aim to reduce morbidity and improve outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of narrow-field supracricoid partial laryngectomy with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy (NF-SCPL-CHEP).
• To compare the postoperative recovery and length of stay with historical open SCPL controls.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study of five patients with glottic cancers undergoing NF-SCPL-CHEP between 2019 and 2020.
• Evaluation of surgical drain, tracheostomy, and nasogastric tube duration.
• Comparison of hospitalization length with historical open SCPL data.

Main Results:

• All five patients had uneventful recoveries with no major complications.
• Mean durations for drains, tracheostomy, and NG tube were 2, 15, and 46 days, respectively.
• Mean hospitalization was 36 days for NF-SCPL-CHEP, half that of open SCPL (72 days).
• No local recurrences or distant metastases observed over a mean 39-month follow-up.

Conclusions:

• NF-SCPL-CHEP is technically feasible and oncologically sound for glottic cancers.
• The procedure offers reduced complications and predictable recovery.
• Shorter hospital stays and potential benefits from preserved local circulation are noted.
• Further multi-institutional studies are needed to confirm long-term outcomes.