[Post total laryngectomy stomal recurrence. Case report and review of the literature].

Development of stomal recurrence following total laryngectomy is a devastating scenario with an extremely poor prognosis. Overall rate of stomal recurrence ranges from 1.7%-40%, with an average rate of 7.5%. Irrespective of the etiology of stomal recurrence, it invariably consists of diffuse infiltration of tumor into the soft tissues of the neck and mediastinum, thereby making control of the disease difficult. Despite aggresive surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, salvage rate is poor. Prevention of stomal recurrence is therefore of paramount importance and the only means of reducing incidence. Systematic use of preventive surgical measures together with postoperative radiotherapy to the stoma and superior mediastinum have led to decrease in appearance of stomal recurrence. Intensive follow-up should be performed for patients with laryngeal carcinoma who had subglottic involvement, paratracheal lymph node metastasis, or both to detect stomal recurrence at an early stage.