Partial laryngectomy with imbrication laryngoplasty for unilateral glottic carcinoma

Treatment options for unilateral glottic carcinoma include radiation therapy, partial laryngectomy, and endoscopic cordectomy. We use partial laryngectomy with imbrication laryngoplasty (PLIL) as a single modality curative approach in a selected group of patients with unilateral glottic carcinoma. PLIL includes a composite resection of the entire vocal fold with its ligament, muscle, adjacent paraglottic tissues, and the adjacent block of thyroid cartilage. A neocord is reconstructed by imbricating the remaining thyroid cartilage strips and covering them with a false vocal fold flap. PLIL provides a rapid recovery of oral/nasal airway and swallowing, excellent voice quality, and a disease-control rate similar or better than other treatment modalities.