[Aspiration pneumonia following various types of partial horizontal laryngectomy]

The authors present a retrospective study of 463 partial horizontal laryngectomy of various types (horizontal supraglottic laryngectomy and its modifications, supracricoid laryngectomy with CHP and CHEP, glottic laryngectomy) performed in the years 1970-1991 in the ENT Clinic of Pomeranian Medical Academy in Szczecin. The aspiration pneumonia in 46 (about 10%) patients was observed as a result of insufficient lower airway protection. In cases of extended supraglottic laryngectomy (including the removal of one arytenoid cartilage and/or one vocal cord) aspiration pneumonia appeared more often (16%) than after classic supraglottic laryngectomy (6%). Reconstruction of elevation of arytenoid cartilage and/or vocal cord and base of tongue its extended resection augmented the efficacy lower airway protection.