Voice and swallowing after partial laryngectomy: factors influencing outcome.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to assess the factors influencing swallowing and phonatory results after partial laryngectomy.


METHODS
We carried out a medical chart review of patients who underwent partial laryngectomies between June 2003 and November 2010, focusing on functional outcomes.


RESULTS
Thirty-two patients were enrolled. No statistically significant difference was found in the comparison of phonatory outcomes of patients with preservation of both arytenoids; the results of the Yanagihara classification were significantly different (p = .015) in patients with an atypical neoglottis; radiotherapy statistically significantly influenced only the mean fundamental frequency (p = .035). The type of partial laryngectomy does not seem to affect the deglutition results; radiotherapy statistically significantly affected the dysphagia score (DS; p = .03), penetration aspiration (p = .02), and MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI; p = .02).


CONCLUSIONS
Horizontal supraglottic laryngectomy and supracricoid partial laryngectomy give the same swallowing results. The presence of both arytenoids does not influence the final outcome compared to patients in whom only 1 arytenoid is preserved. Postoperative radiotherapy only influences the swallowing function.
Otolaryngology Department, University Hospital of Modena, Via del Pozzo 71, 41100, Modena, Italy.
Matteo
M
Alicandri-Ciufelli
Alessia
A
Piccinini
Alberto
A
Grammatica
Andrea
A
Chiesi
Giuseppe
G
Bergamini
Maria Pia
MP
Luppi
Federica
F
Nizzoli
Angelo
A
Ghidini
Sauro
S
Tassi
Livio
L
Presutti
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003413:Cricoid Cartilage / Q000601:surgery; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005931:Glottis / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000379:methods* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010699:Phonation / Q000502:physiology*; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014833:Voice Quality