Vascular Pedicle Flap of the Thyroid Gland in the So-Called 3/4-Laryngectomy

Abstract

A 3/4 laryngectomy was performed in 50 of 322 partial laryngectomies, carried out between 1971–1981, without radiotherapy of any form. Until 1980 this operation was done in cases of T_x and T₂ without limitation of mobility of the vocal cord, with reconstruction of the excised vocal cord by Ogura’s method or Biller’s modification. Since 1980 this operation was applied also in stage T_2–3 supraglottic carcinoma. Extension of indications in our clinic resulted from application of the vascular pedicled thyroid flap for repair of the larynx. Reconstruction of the larynx after small or large excisions, ranging up to a 3/4 laryngectomy was achieved by this technique. The crude survival rate of patients with follow-up of more than 3 years was 65%. With the thyroid flap technique the functional results for phonation and deglutition were much better than with previously applied techniques.