[Preservation of laryngeal and glossal function in surgical treatment of oropharyngeal glossal epiglottic carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE

To study the feasibility, surgical techniques and results of surgical treatment of oropharyngeal glossal epiglottic carcinoma with laryngeal and glossal functions preserved.

METHODS

A retrospective review of 21 (17 males, 4 females, age range 44 to 72 years) cases with carcinoma extending from the oropharynx, glossa to the epiglottis treated during 1990 to 2000 was conducted. The clinical stage was T2N0 in 4, T2N1 in 5 and T3N1 in 12 according to 1992 UICC. All the cases were undergone partial resection of the glossal base-epiglottis and suproglottic horizontal partial laryngectomy. Seventeen cases received selective neck dissections and all the patients received postoperative radiotherapy (50-60 Gy).

RESULTS

The 3-year and 5-year survival rates in this series were 73.3% and 57.1%, respectively. Decannulation and complete preservation of laryngeal and glossal functions were achieved in 20 cases (95.7%), while partial preservation (speaking and deglutition) in one case (4.2%).

CONCLUSION

Preservation of the laryngeal and glossal functions in surgical treatment of oropharyngeal glossal epiglottic carcinoma is feasible. Subhyoid approach was proved to be the best way for tumor resection in such an extent.