title: Modified supracricoid laryngectomy: oncological and functional outcomes in the elderly.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Supracricoid laryngectomy is an organ preservation surgical technique for early-stage glottic tumors. Modified supracricoid laryngectomy using sternohyoid muscles for neoglottis reconstruction is a new surgical technique. This report evaluates oncological and functional outcomes of this new technique and its feasibility in elderly patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical records from 21 consecutive patients affected by glottic cancer and treated by modified SCL between 2004 and 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. Postoperative parameters and quality of voice after modified SCL were retrospectively reviewed. Actuarial overall survival, disease-specific survival rates, and recurrence-free survival rates were assessed. The functional and oncological outcomes of patients over 65 years were compared with those of patients younger than 65 years of age.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no postoperative complications and all of the patients had complete swallowing rehabilitation. Twenty of the 21 patients had decannulation. Two patients received total laryngectomy for locoregional relapse. Overall survival and disease-specific survival rates were 100%. Recurrence-free survival rates were 90.1% and 90% in patients younger and older than 65 years of age, respectively. The larynx preservation index was lower in patients who were older than 65 years of age. The postoperative courses with regard to functional outcome and voice quality in elderly patients were similar to those of patients younger than 65 years of age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Modified SCL is a new open organ preservation surgical technique that is oncologically safe. The positive functional and oncological outcomes of this surgical procedure allow it to be performed in elderly patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy. eualle@unicz.it
authors.forename: Eugenia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Allegra
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Franco
authors.forename: Serena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Trapasso
authors.forename: Rossana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Domanico
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: La Boria
authors.forename: Aldo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Garozzo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D012189:Retrospective Studies