Functional outcomes of transoral laser surgery of supraglottic carcinoma compared with a transcervical approach.
BACKGROUND
Several functional advantages have been described for the transoral laser supraglottic laryngectomy as compared with open techniques. However, comparative studies have been rarely performed.


METHODS
Functional results in 26 patients treated with a transoral approach were retrospectively compared with those of a comparable series of 26 patients who underwent a transcervical approach.


RESULTS
The only significant differences found between the two groups were a lesser number of temporary tracheotomies and a shorter time of removal of the nasogastric tube in the laser group. No significant differences were found in the incidence of postoperative complications, hospital stay, and swallowing capacity.


CONCLUSIONS
The rate of functional problems after transoral laser surgery did not greatly decrease compared with the rate after the conventional procedure. The mayor advantage of the transoral approach was the lower incidence of temporary tracheotomies.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, and Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain. rcabanillas@telecable.es
Rubén
R
Cabanillas
Juan Pablo
JP
Rodrigo
Jose Luis
JL
Llorente
Vanessa
V
Suárez
Primitivo
P
Ortega
Carlos
C
Suárez
D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000379:methods*; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D037981:Neck Dissection; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014140:Tracheotomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome