Laryngeal Reconstruction with a Sternohyoid Muscle Flap after Supracricoid Laryngectomy: Postoperative Respiratory and Swallowing Evaluation

Abstract

To compare postoperative respiratory and swallowing functions between patients who underwent classic supracricoid laryngectomy (SCL) and those who underwent SCL with laryngeal reconstruction using the sternohyoid muscle. Prospective study. National cancer center. Forty-four patients who consecutively underwent SCL for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma from December 2009 to March 2011 were included. Postoperative parameters including the mean tracheostomy decannulation time, tracheostomy decannulation rate at 6 months, mean nasogastric tube (NGT) removal time, degree of dysphagia at 3 months, and survival time after surgery were evaluated. Twenty-one patients underwent classic SCL (group A), and 23 underwent SCL with laryngeal reconstruction (group B). After a median follow-up period of 37 months (range, 3-44 months), group A had a significantly longer mean decannulation time (120.05 ± 109.38 days vs 33.43 ± 22.60 days, respectively; P < .01) and NGT removal time (37.30 ± 29.97 days vs 17.22 ± 10.95 days, respectively; P < .01) than group B. Swallowing function after 6 months was significantly better in group B than in group A (P = .004). The decannulation rate after 6 months was significantly higher in group B than in group A (95.7% vs 66.7%, respectively; P = .036). The 3-year disease-free survival rate was not significantly different between group A and group B (95.2% vs 95.7%, respectively; P = .961). Laryngeal reconstruction using a sternohyoid muscle flap seems to improve quality of life in the early postoperative period after SCL.