The external approach for submucosal lesions of the larynx.
OBJECTIVE
The surgical excision of benign submucosal lesions of the larynx can be performed using a variety of techniques including direct laryngoscopy and external approaches. We propose that small submucosal lesions of the larynx can be removed via the external approach without a tracheotomy.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review.


METHODS
Six patients at The Long Island Jewish Medical Center and at the New York University School of Medicine underwent an external approach for the removal of benign submucosal laryngeal lesions without tracheotomies. Lesions included a mixed laryngopyocele, an internal laryngopyocele, a mixed laryngocele, a paraganglioma, a neurilemmoma and a lymphoma. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 9 years.


RESULTS
All patients were female with an average age of 72. No patient required a tracheotomy. One patient remained intubated for 24 hours postoperatively to ensure an adequate airway. Mild dysphagia was noted in all patients, but it was short-lived and did not require alternate methods of alimentation. There have been no recurrences of disease.


CONCLUSIONS
The external approach without tracheotomy allows for good exposure with minimal functional disability for the removal of benign submucosal lesions of the larynx.
Myssiorek
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Department of Otolaryngology and Communicative Disorders, The Long Island Jewish Medical Center, 270-05 76th Ave., New Hyde Park, NY 11040, USA. myssiore@lij.edu
Madnani
D
D
Delacure
M D
MD
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D007820:Laryngeal Mucosa; D008875:Middle Aged; D013517:Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies