Supraglottic laryngectomy: analysis of 267 cases

Horizontal supraglottic laryngectomy (HSL) allows the preservation of a functioning larynx and avoids permanent tracheotomy. In this retrospective study we report our experience with HSL and describe the functional and oncological results of the procedure. A total of 267 previously untreated patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the supraglottis underwent a supraglottic laryngectomy at our Department from January 1978 to May 2002. The main outcome measures were: local and regional control, disease-specific survival and laryngeal preservation rate. The overall recurrence rate was 29% (78/267). The local recurrence rate was 8% (22 patients) and the regional recurrence rate was 17% (45 patients). The 5-year disease-specific survival rate was 73%. The 5-year laryngeal preservation rate was 82%. Multivariate analysis showed two parameters that were independent predictors of a reduced disease specific survival: cervical lymph node metastases of class N3 (P = 0.0003) and primary tumour classified as T4 (P = 0.004). HSL provided, in our experience, an optimal locoregional oncological control for laryngeal preservation.