Management of raw areas in the larynx.

Abstract

In my unit, raw areas in the larynx have required special procedures in the following types of cases: In keratosis or leukoplakia of both vocal cords. These lesions do not respond adequately to radiotherapy. If they do not subside on vocal rest and cessation of smoking and avoiding of exposure to other noxious fumes and dusts, and if there be reason to fear malignancy supervening, the cords should be excised through a thyrotomy. One cord may be excised at a time, or both may be excised at one intervention, provided something be done to prevent anterior laryngeal web formation and stenosis. In endolaryngeal carcinomata that involve both vocal cords—and then nearly always the anterior laryngeal commissure— when the growth is not deeply infiltrative. Some endolaryngeal tumors, while of bulky, "cauliflower," type, involving both vocal cords and adjoining areas, do not infiltrate deeply, and can be cured by endolaryngectomy