Supracricoid hemilaryngopharyngectomy conversion to Pearson's near-total laryngectomy: A case report

Background: Pearson's near-total laryngectomy was initially advocated in patients with extended glottic carcinoma and hypopharyngeal carcinoma. More recently, the utility of near-total laryngectomy for supraglottic pharyngeal, base of tongue, and other cancers such as thyroid cancer with anterior tracheal wall invasion has also been reported. Methods: The purpose of this case report was to demonstrate the feasibility of this procedure in the setting of severe aspiration after supracricoid hemilaryngopharyngectomy. Results: The first case of successful conversion from supracricoid hemilaryngopharyngectomy to Pearson's near-total laryngectomy in a patient with severe and recurrent aspiration is presented. Conclusions: This case report suggests that when partial laryngopharyngectomy results in severe and recurrent aspiration, rather than having to convert the patient to a total laryngectomy with tracheoesophageal puncture, a near-total laryngectomy is a reasonable option with acceptable functional results. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons.