Epiglottic reconstruction after supraglottic laryngectomy.

It has been well established that supraglottic laryngectomy is an effective treatment of laryngeal cancer arising above the vocal cords with cure rates equaling total laryngectomy. Although there is preservation of a near normal voice after supraglottic laryngectomy, chronic aspiration occurs in some patients particularly after extended supraglottic laryngectomy or when there is associated compromised pulmonary function. During normal deglutition, the epiglottis serves to divert food to the pyriform fossae and partially covers the inlet to the airway. These important functions can be accomplished after supraglottic laryngectomy by reconstructing a neoepiglottis from an epiglottic remnant whenever one third or more of the epiglottis can be preserved which is microscopically free of tumor. Our results in 14 patients have shown no clinically significant aspiration after epiglottic reconstruction.