Assessment of irregular voices after total and laser surgical partial laryngectomy

OBJECTIVES: To assess the merits of computer-aided voice analysis procedures for very irregular voices of patients after total and laser surgical partial laryngectomy, and to characterize qualitative differences in speech and voice function between these 2 groups of patients. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: University hospital in G?ttingen, Germany PATIENTS: Twenty-nine patients with advanced laryngeal carcinomas (T3-T4; according to the Union Internationale Contre le Cancer, TNM staging system, stages III-IVa) were examined: 18 patients with tracheoesophageal speech (voice prosthesis) after total laryngectomy and 11 patients who underwent partial transoral resection of the larynx (by means of laser microsurgery without surgical voice rehabilitation). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Speech intelligibility was measured by a standardized and validated telephone test, and voice quality was determined by 2 computerized voice analysis systems (multidimensional voice program and G?ttingen hoarseness diagram). RESULTS: The telephone test demonstrated a significantly better speech performance of the patients who had undergone organ-preserving surgery. The voices of both patient groups were too irregular for a qualitative differentiation with the multidimensional voice program. The multidimensional voice program results also failed to show significant correlations to speech intelligibility. The G?ttingen hoarseness diagram showed significantly more regular voices in patients with partial laryngectomy than total laryngectomy. These results were correlated with speech intelligibility. CONCLUSIONS: The G?ttingen hoarseness diagram is suitable for a qualitative assessment even of irregular voices. Voice prosthesis offers a voice quality that at best approaches that of patients with partial laryngectomy.     

喉癌患者喉部分切除术后的嗓音声学分析

目的 探讨喉癌患者喉部分切除术术式、喉功能重建方法与术后嗓音质量的关系。方法 采用Dr．Speech嗓音分析软件，对116例不同术式喉部分切除术患者分别于术后1、2年进行发声功能测试，对测得的基频微扰（jitter）、振幅微扰（shimmer）、标准化噪声能量（NNE）进行比较分析，判断受试者嗓音质量。结果 所测得的声学参数jitter、shimmer、NNE值，以喉声门上水平部分切除术组最低，嗓音质量相对最好（P〈0．01）；喉次全切除术组最高，嗓音质量相对最差（P〈0．01）。声带切除术组和声带癌激光切除术组与其它各组比较，其差异均有显著统计学意义（P〈0．05或0．01），但这两组间比较，差异无统计学意义。各组术后嗓音质量效果从好到差依次为：喉声门上水平部分切除术组、声带切除术组、声带癌激光切除术组、喉垂直部分切除术组、喉额侧部分切除术组、喉次全切除术组。结论 喉癌患者喉部分切除术后，发声功能的恢复与手术方式及重建方法密切相关，其中，喉声门上水平部分切除术组术后嗓音质量相对最佳，喉次全切除术组术后相对最差。     

Laser resection of T1a glottic carcinomas: results and postoperative voice quality

OBJECTIVES: To calculate recurrence, mortality and complication rates and evaluate postoperative voice quality after laser resection of T(1a) glottic carcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Since 1995 we have treated 118 patients with a T(1a) glottic carcinoma with laser surgery. In order to evaluate postoperative voice quality, patients who were alive and free of recurrence were sent the Voice Handicap Index (VHI) questionnaire containing 30 questions concerning how their voice affects their daily life physically, emotionally and socially. RESULTS: Twelve patients (10%) had a local recurrence and received further treatment, either a second laser treatment, radiotherapy or a total laryngectomy. One patient (0.84%) died due to the laryngeal cancer. Ninety-nine patients were sent the VHI questionnaire and 94 of the completed questionnaires were included in the study and analyzed. The mean total score was 13.2, with mean subscores of 6.5 (physical), 4.1 (functional) and 2.5 (emotional). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that these patients as a group do not consider that their voice has a negative impact on their daily life. Good surgical technique is essential to obtain a good functional result. The laser strength should be kept low and the surgical margins small in order to minimize scarring and vocal cord stiffness.     

Chirurgische Stimmrehabilitation nach Laryngektomie

In spite of the progress made in organ-preserving therapy modalities, including endoscopic or external partial laryngectomies, radiotherapy or chemoradiation in many patients with advanced laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinomas, total laryngectomy remains the only safe possibility for long lasting local tumour control. The existing strategies for a sufficient restoration of voice following total laryngectomy are still controversial. Besides the strictly conservative methods of esophageal voice and electronic devices, different surgical procedures are carried out worldwide. At present, the exclusively surgical voice shunt techniques are only offered in a few very specialized centres. In Germany, three surgical methods are in use: (1) microvascular laryngoplasty according to Hagen (> 300 cases), (2) the "jejunal speaking siphon" according to Ehrenberger modified by Remmert (> 60 cases), and (3) the modified Asai-technique according to Maier and Weidauer (> 80 cases).     

Traditional transcutaneous approaches in head & neck surgery

The treatment of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal malignancies remains a challenging task for the head and neck surgeon as the chosen treatment modality often has to bridge the gap between oncologically sound radicality and preservation of function. Due to the increase in transoral laser surgery in early tumor stages and chemoradiation in advanced stages, the usage of traditional transcutaneous approaches has decreased over the recent past. In addition, the need for a function-sparing surgical approach as well as highest possible quality of life has become evident. In view of these facts, rationale and importance of traditional transcutaneous approaches to the treatment of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal malignancies are discussed in a contemporary background. The transcutaneous open partial laryngectomies remain a valuable tool in the surgeon's armamentarium for the treatment of early and advanced laryngeal carcinomas, especially in cases of impossible laryngeal overview using the rigid laryngoscope. Open partial laryngetomies offer superior overview and oncologic safety at the anterior commissure, especially in recurrencies. In select advanced cases and salvage settings, the supracricoid laryngectomy offers a valuable tool for function-preserving but oncologically safe surgical therapy at the cost of high postoperative morbidity and a very demanding rehabilitation of swallowing. In hypopharyngeal malignancies, the increasing use of transoral laser surgery has led to a decline in transcutaneous resections via partial pharyngectomy with partial laryngectomy in early tumor stages. In advanced stages of tumors of the piriform sinus and the postcricoid area with involvement of the larynx, total laryngectomy with partial pharyngectomy is an oncologically safe approach. The radical surgical approach using circumferent laryngopharyngectomy with/without esophagectomy is indicated in salvage cases with advanced recurrences or as a primary surgical approach in patients where chemoradiation does not offer sufficient oncologic control or preservation of function. In cases with impending reconstruction, fasciocutaneous free flaps (anterolateral thigh flap, radial forearm flap) seem to offer superior results to enteric flaps in cases where the cervical esophagus is not involved leading to better voice rehabilitation with fewer complications and postoperative morbidity. In salvage situations, the Gastroomental Free Flap has proven to be a valuable tool. In conclusion, the choice of a surgical treatment modality is influenced by the patient's anatomy, tumor size and location as well as the surgeon's personal expertise.     

Long-term results of treatment in T1, T2 laryngeal cancer with CO2 laser microsurgery

The aim of this study was estimation the long term results of CO2 laser therapy in laryngeal cancer. 36 patients with early glottic cancer-T1 and T2 were treated with CO2 laser microsurgery in 1990-1992. The control laryngological, phoniatric and laryngovideostroboscopic examinations were conducted from six to thirty months after the operation. The next controls were done within three years and then after eight to ten years from microsurgery. The local recurrence was observed only during the first control in seven cases--19%. Four patients underwent total laryngectomy after several laser microsurgery, two were treated only with CO2 laser and one had CO-therapy. The better quality of voice was observed during following control examinations. A scar with smooth surface and marge in 29 persons and a tendency to phonatory vibration of scar in 9 patients were noticed in laryngovideostroboscopy examination during the first control. Following examinations showed a progressive improvement of voice parameters.     

转门肌皮瓣修复T3、T4声门癌扩大部分喉切除术后缺损

过大的喉腔缺损创面修复困难。为保证在根治肿瘤的前提下，恢复喉的发声，呼吸，吞咽防护功能，对６２例晚期（Ｔ３，Ｔ４）声门癌分别行扩大垂直喉切除和次全喉切除术，同期应用双蒂转门肌皮瓣进行喉腔缺损重建。气管套管拔出率为８７．１％，８５％患者发声恢复满意，吞咽功能全部恢复。晚期声门癌选择性地施行功能保全性喉切除术是可行的。手术操作简单，应用广泛，值得推广。     

Health status and voice outcome after treatment for T1a glottic carcinoma

Radiotherapy as well as endoscopic laser surgery as the most widely used treatment modalities for T1a glottic carcinoma cause minor morbidity and negligible mortality and result in more or less comparable, excellent cure and larynx preservation rates. Therefore, other outcome measures such as voice-related problems and health status are important factors in the choice of treatment for T1a glottic cancer. The present study focuses on voice-related problems in the daily life of patients treated by radiotherapy or endoscopic laser surgery for T1a glottic cancer. Self ratings on health status assessed by means of COOP/WONCA health status charts and voice problems evaluated with a validated voice-specific questionnaire (the Voice Handicap Index) and overall judgment on voice quality were obtained. A total of 102 patients (56 treated by endoscopic laser surgery and 46 treated by radiotherapy) with at least 1-year follow-up were included. Response scores were high: 52 (93%) patients after endoscopic laser surgery versus 40 (87%) patients after radiation therapy completed and returned the questionnaires. A high percentage of patients reported voice problems in daily life: 58% of the patients following radiotherapy and 40% of the patients following endoscopic treatment had abnormal VHI scores. The difference between both treatment modalities proved to be significant. No significant differences were found concerning health status or overall judgment of voice quality. Moderate correlations were found between total VHI score and voice quality judgment and the COOP/WONCA social activities chart. This study reveals that treatment for T1a glottic cancer often does result in voice problems in daily life, negatively influencing patients social activities. Patients selected for endoscopic laser surgery on average report fewer voice-related problems than those who underwent radiotherapy.     

T1T2期声门型喉癌喉小部分切除术及疗效评估

目的 :探讨T1、T2 期声门型喉癌的治疗方法。方法 :对 112例T1、T2 期声门型喉癌 (T1N0 M0 、T2 N0 M0 )患者施行喉小部分切除术。对手术方法、术后功能的恢复、治疗效果及治疗优势进行了总结 ,并与激光、放疗作了对比 ;对术后披裂的活动、声门裂的形态及嗓音变化作了动态观察随访 ;应用Dr.speech嗓音质量评估软件对术前、术后嗓音质量做了分析对比。结果 :112例患者切口均Ⅰ期愈合 ,6～ 7d拆线 ,平均住院时间 9.76d。术后 2～ 3d恢复经口进食。住院期间顺利拔除气管套管 ,平均戴管时间 7.32d,拔管率 10 0 %。术后 1周 4 7例出现披裂活动减弱 ,但逐步改善 ,2个月后声门裂形态接近正常 ;术前与术后 2个月、6个月Shimmer和NNE对比 ,差异有统计学意义 (P <0 .0 1) ,术后 1周与术后 2个月、6个月比较差异有统计学意义 (P <0 .0 1)。随访满 3年76例 ,全部生存 ;满 5年 36例 ,35例生存 (1例不明原因死亡 ) ;复发 2例。结论 :喉小部分切除术视野清楚 ,病变切除彻底 ,短期内顺利恢复了饮食及语言功能 ,并提高了发声质量 ,治疗T1、T2 期声门型喉癌是可行的。     

Voice problems following limited surgical excision

The published literature contains relatively few references to vocal rehabilitation for persons with partial laryngectomy. Articles on various types of surgery indicate that many individuals develop satisfactory voice following limited surgery, particularly supraglottic procedures. An informal questionnaire completed by 10 laryngologists who had had substantial experience with sub-total laryngectomy revealed that an average of 25 percent of their patients with laryngeal cancer receive partial laryngectomy. Lesions limited to the epiglottis, supraglottic areas or one vocal cord are regularly treated by limited excision. Half of the questionnaires indicated that partial laryngectomy can be used for bilateral vocal cord lesions under certain circumstances. The questionnaire confirmed the published reports that most of the subsequent voices were satisfactory or good and many recover without special vocal retraining. None reported employment of partial laryngectomy for sub-glottal cancer. Hemilaryngectomy and cordectomy frequently resulted in some impairment of voice. Speech therapy is often recommended when possible. Therapy applicable to voice following partial laryngectomy combines five emphases: 1. strengthening glottic closure and loudness of the voice; 2. improving the efficiency of breath expenditure; 3. increasing the articulately skill and intelligibility of speech; 4. recognizing and compensating for hearing loss; and 5. aiding the patient to reduce detrimental environmental influences and to adjust to his environmental requirements.     

Options for salvage after failed initial treatment of anterior vocal commissure squamous carcinoma

Persistence or recurrent cancer in the anterior commissure (AC) after primary radiotherapy may remain localized to its pretreatment anatomical site. If so, endoscopic CO₂ laser excision, in experienced hands, may achieve complete tumor excision and result in cure for many patients. Occasionally, second and third recurrences may be similarly salvaged by further endoscopic surgery. The use of the vertical hemilaryngectomy is an alternative treatment for similar localized lesions, with a higher first time surgical tumor eradication rate, but with a more protracted hospitalization and a less satisfactory voice and swallowing outcome. In both types of such surgical salvage, CT scanning must demonstrate no evidence of cartilage invasion or destruction. When there is evidence of minimal thyroid cartilage invasion, then the supracricoid partial laryngectomy is an alternative conservation option, and is likely to result in a cure, with the retention of a voicing larynx without a stoma. When the tumor has increased in size from the original pretreatment dimension and/or site, then imaging must be used to identify possible cartilage invasion, in which case the likelihood of tumor eradication by endoscopic or external vertical partial laryngectomy is highly unlikely. The indications for the routine use of total laryngectomy for the treatment of recurrent or persistent cancer involving the AC must be reviewed; there is current evidence that cure can be achieved by a less radical procedure. However, total laryngectomy may remain the only treatment option for advanced or aggressive first time recurrence, or in patients who develop subsequent recurrence following previous less aggressive surgery (endoscopic or external).     

T2 laryngeal carcinoma with impaired mobility: subtypes with therapeutic implications

The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome in the treatment of T2 laryngeal carcinoma with impaired laryngeal mobility, comparing surgical management to radiotherapy in terms of local control and survival. The files of 66 patients treated between 1988 and 1994 were retrospectively studied for tumor location, treatment and outcome. Forty-two patients were treated surgically and 24 by radiotherapy. Follow-up averaged 8.5 years. Local recurrence occurred in 12.5% of the cases treated by conservation laryngeal surgery and in 21% of the cases by radiotherapy. Ultimate laryngeal preservation was achieved in 90.9% of the cases initially treated by partial laryngectomy and in 87.5% of the cases treated by radiotherapy. Five-year actuarial survival rates were 90% and 28%, respectively. A higher rate of metastases and second primaries occurred in the group treated by radiotherapy. T2 laryngeal carcinoma amenable to partial laryngectomy had a higher local control rate than the cases not amenable to conservation surgery and treated by radiotherapy. Tumors differed in the two treatment groups in location and extensions, despite the fact that all were T2 tumors. We emphasize the limits of retrospective studies. Only prospective randomized studies will determine the true results of surgery versus radiotherapy for a homogeneous subset of T2 laryngeal tumors. Received: 17 May 2001 / Accepted: 21 August 2001     

喉部分切除术后复发癌的外科挽救治疗

目的 分析喉部分切除术后喉复发癌的外科治疗方法、预后及影响预后的因素.方法 回顾分析中国医学科学院肿瘤医院头颈外科77例喉部分切除患者术后喉复发癌再行外科挽救治疗的临床资料.其中51例行喉全切除术,26例行喉部分切除术,其中19例无放疗史者行手术加放疗的综合治疗.Kaplan-Meier法统计生存率,Cox多因素分析影...     

Endolaryngeal cordectomy using cold instruments for treatment of T1 glottic cancers

In the treatment of early-stage glottic cancers, radiotherapy and surgery have similar success rates. In our department, we have been using cold instruments coupled with surgical microscope and/or telescopes for several years in treatment of early stage glottic cancers. Our aims were, to present our experience with endolaryngeal resection of T1 glottic cancers with cold instruments coupled with surgical microscope and telescopes, to present our oncological results, to discuss the advantages of endolaryngeal cordectomy over open cordectomy or RT and to discuss whether laser is obligatory for this approach or not.Our study includes retrospective analysis of 38 patients with T1 glottic cancer, who have been treated with endolaryngeal surgery as the primary treatment. The median follow-up was 24 months. The most commonly performed procedure was type-II cordectomy (38.5%). Overall survival rate was 94.7%, while the disease-specific survival rate was 100%. Local recurrences occurred in two patients at 8th and 11th months, postoperatively. In the first patient, type-Vc cordectomy and in the second type-Va cordectomy had been performed. Both patients with recurrences could be salvaged by fronto-lateral laryngectomy, and are still alive in their 38th and 6th months following salvage surgery. Therefore, the local control rate and larynx preservation rate with endolaryngeal cordectomy were 94.7 and 100%, respectively, in this study group. All patients had a voice quality sufficient for communicating easily over telephone. We believe that lasers are not obligatory to perform endolaryngeal cordectomy for treatment of T1 glottic cancers, as the same oncological and similar functional outcomes may be achieved with the traditional cold instruments.     

The place of conservation surgery for T3 laryngeal carcinomas with fixation.

Although the traditional surgical treatment of T3 laryngeal carcinomas is total laryngectomy, we have obtained favorable survival results for selected cases with partial laryngectomy, as exemplified in the literature. Extending the indications up to ultimate limits by partial, but radical surgical techniques is the recent trend in the world, for the conservation surgery of laryngeal cancers. The primary treatment of T3 laryngeal cancers, instead of irradiation, should be surgical and, for select cases partial laryngectomy, depending on laryngeal embryological development and lymphatic drainage, may be carried out. We have performed partial laryngectomy with elective or therapeutic and radical or modified radical neck dissection for 43 T3 laryngeal carcinomas at the Department of Otolaryngology, Istanbul Medical Faculty, University of Istanbul in the years 1978-1991 and obtained 2, 3, and 5 years of survival rates, which are 89, 79.4, and 73%, respectively.     

CO2激光在声门型喉癌外科治疗中的应用

目的 分析CO2激光治疗声门型喉癌的适应证、手术要点和并发症的预防.方法 回顾性分析复旦大学附属眼耳鼻喉科医院2003年3月至2006年6月间应用CO2激光治疗的60例无转移的声门型喉癌(T1期52例和,12期8例)的疗效和手术并发症.结果 所有病例术后声音嘶哑都比较明显,随着患侧声带切除后的逐渐修复,发音逐渐响亮,1年左右接近正常发音或轻度嘶哑.术后无气管切开、误吸和呼吸困难患者,除2例双侧声带癌行双侧声带切除后发生前连合粘连外,无其他严重并发症.60例喉癌病例中,54例术后随访2～5年无瘤生存.术后复发4例,1例再次激光手术,随访至今2年无瘤生存;3例改为喉全切除术,其中1例随访2年无瘤生存,2例再次复发死亡.术后4年和5年各失访1例.以Kaplan-Maier法统计累积生存率,3年和5年生存率分别为100.0%和91.5%.结论 激光作为一种微创技术,在喉癌的外科治疗中具有广泛的应用前景.激光手术创伤小,出血少,恢复快,疗效好,且能保留较为满意的发音功能,是治疗T1、T2声门型喉癌的理想方法,值得推广.     

喉声门上型低分化鳞状细胞癌57例临床观察

目的 探讨喉声门上型低分化鳞状细胞癌(简称鳞癌)的临床特点、治疗及预后。方法 回顾分析1980～1998年我院57例喉声门上型低分化鳞癌病例(1997年UICC分期：Ⅰ期4例，Ⅱ期5例，Ⅲ期18例，Ⅳ期30例)。单纯手术25例，单纯放射治疗9例，术前放射治疗加手术14例，手术加术后放射治疗7例，术前化学治疗加手术2例。喉全切除23例，喉部分切除25例；同期颈清扫31例(单侧17例，双侧14例)，上颈清扫12例。结果5年生存率47．4％(27／57)，颈部转移率63．2％(36／57)，双颈转移率24．6％(14／57)，远处转移率21．1％(12／57)，局部复发率10．5％(6／57)，颈部复发率28．1％(16／57)，喉部分切除的局部复发率12．0％(3／25)。生存率随分期下降，T1 T2与13 T4和N0 N1与N2 N3的生存率差异分别有显著性(χ^2=4．942，P=0．026；χ^2=4．306，P=0．038)。单纯手术与手术结合放射治疗的生存率差异无显著性，N2和N3患者的手术结合放射治疗相对优于单纯手术。结论 喉声门上型低分化鳞癌患者以晚期病变为主，易较早发生淋巴结转移，颈部转移和远处转移率较高，治疗仍以手术为主，喉部分切除术是可行的，T3病变的喉部分切除和颈部N分级较晚的患者应手术结合放射治疗。     

Vocal function after vertical partial laryngectomy with glottic reconstruction by false vocal fold flap: durational and frequency measures.

OBJECTIVE: Compare vocal function following vertical partial laryngectomy (VPL) with or without glottic reconstruction by false vocal fold (FVF) mucosal flap. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-seven patients with Tla squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the glottis were included in a prospective randomized clinical study. All patients were treated by frontolateral partial laryngectomy (FLPL). Glottic reconstruction with FVF mucosal flap was performed in 14 patients at the time of the FLPL, whereas 13 patients had standard FLPL. METHODS: Objective voice assessment was based on computerized acoustic recordings performed before and 1 year after surgery. When possible, additional recordings were performed at 3 months, 6 months, and 2 years postoperatively. Incidence of postoperative granuloma and anterior neoglottic web were noted. Repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the durational (maximum phonation time, speech rate) and frequency measurements (average fundamental frequency [Fo], standard deviation of Fo, jitter, shimmer, noise-to-harmonics ratio, degree of voice breaks) between patients with or without glottic reconstruction, postoperative granuloma, and anterior neoglottic web. Linear regression was used to study the evolution over time of the durational and frequency measurements. RESULTS: Frequency measurements improved with time and were significantly better in patients treated with glottic reconstruction. In addition, glottic reconstruction decreased incidence of postoperative granuloma and anterior neoglottic web. CONCLUSIONS: The FVF mucosal flap technique can improve vocal results in selected cases of Tla SCC of the glottis when FLPL is the adequate surgical treatment. false vocal folds; glottic reconstruction; vertical partial laryngectomy; vocal function.     

The role of laser microsurgery in the treatment of laryngeal cancer

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Transoral laser microsurgery has developed in recent years into a surgical method that combines a minimally invasive approach with the surgical precision of laser and microscope. The outcomes of laser microsurgical treatment of laryngeal carcinomas are reviewed and compared with the results of competitive standard procedures. RECENT FINDINGS: Laser microsurgery is widely acknowledged to have advantages in the treatment of early glottic carcinoma. In the treatment of glottic carcinoma causing impaired mobility or fixation of the vocal cord the role of laser surgery has not yet been definitively assessed. Based on published results, primary laser therapy can achieve local tumor control with a functional residual larynx in approximately 70-80% of cases. In patients with early or moderately advanced supraglottic carcinoma, laser microsurgery is comparable to open supraglottic laryngectomy in terms of local control and survival. With regard to organ preservation, laser microsurgery is comparable to open supraglottic laryngectomy but superior to radiotherapy. Microsurgery can preserve functionally important structures, allowing for early swallowing rehabilitation while avoiding tracheotomy. SUMMARY: This review elucidates the role of laser microsurgical partial resections of the larynx in comparison with other treatment modalities.     

Salvage surgery after radiotherapy for laryngeal cancer: from endoscopic resections to open-neck partial and total laryngectomies

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate our experience in management of radiotherapy failure using endoscopic resection (ER) with carbon dioxide laser, open-neck partial laryngectomy (ONPL), and total laryngectomy. DESIGN: Retrospective medical record review. SETTING: Referral university hospital. PATIENTS: Seventy-one patients with laryngeal cancer previously treated with radiotherapy (69 patients) and chemoradiotherapy (2 patients) underwent salvage surgery. INTERVENTIONS: The treatment policy encompassed ER for glottic rT1a, rT1b with limited anterior commissure involvement, and rT2 with normal cord mobility carcinoma. All ONPLs were performed for rT1 and rT2 tumors with suboptimal endoscopic exposure, rT2 tumors with impaired cord mobility or transcommissural extension, and rT3 tumors for limited paraglottic space invasion or involvement of the inner portion of the thyroid cartilage. Total laryngectomy was planned in patients who were not suitable for partial laryngectomy owing to poor general condition, for rT3 carcinoma with massive involvement of the paraglottic space, and for rT4a tumors. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical, radiologic, surgical, and pathologic data. Survival curves were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Comparisons between different variables were performed using the log-rank test. RESULTS: Salvage surgery consisted of ER in 22 patients, ONPL in 15, and total laryngectomy in 34. The pT category after salvage surgery was pT1 in 12 patients, pT2 in 20, pT3 in 20, and pT4a in 19. Five-year disease-specific and disease-free survival and laryngeal preservation for the entire series were 72%, 61%, and 40%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Survival rates for the entire series were not different from those previously reported using a more aggressive surgical approach without attempts at organ preservation. The laryngeal preservation rate justifies conservative treatment in the presence of limited recurrent lesions.