Surgery for Larynx/Hypopharynx Cancer

Question 1

What additional surgery is needed for laryngectomy?

Answer 1

Total thyroidectomy

Question 2

Describe total laryngectomy

Answer 2

Resection of the entire larynx including all three substructures (supraglottis, glottis, subglottis) and creation of a stoma to provide a method for the patient to breathe.

Question 3

Describe pharyngolaryngectomy

Answer 3

Resection of the entire larynx including all three substructures (supraglottis, glottis, subglottis) and partial resection of the soft tissues of the pharynx.

Requires creation of a stoma, total thyroidectomy, and typically requires a flap resection of pharyngeal structures

Question 4

What is the surgical option for bulky hypopharyngeal cancers?

Answer 4

Pharyngolaryngectomy, but used sparingly secondary to morbidity.