[Supracricoid laryngectomy with cricohyoidoepiglotopexy (CHEP). Preliminary report of the National Institute of Cancer].

OBJECTIVE

To present the preliminary results in our institute with supracricoid laryngectomy with cricohyoidoepiglotopexy (CHEP), as well as to evaluate possible short-term complications.

METHODS

This study included eight patients with diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx glottic region (three patients were in stage I, two in II and three in III). Histologic grade was well differentiated in three patients, moderately differentiated in four and poorly differentiated in one.

RESULTS

Supracricoid laryngectomy with cricohyoidoepiglotopexy were performed in all cases, and bilateral elective functional neck dissection was done in 6 patients. Both cricoarytenoid units were preserved in 6 patients and only one in the other two cases. Mean time of hospitalization was 11 days. Mean time of decanulation was 12 days for the whole group; however, in those patients that preserved both cricoarytenoid units, the mean time of decanulation was 6 days, and in those that preserved one cricoarytenoid unit it was 31 days. Physiologic phonation was achieved in all patients at the moment of decanulation. Mean time for remotion of nasogastric sonde was 25 days, and it was 17 days for those who preserved both cricoarytenoid units and for patients with one cricoarytenoid unit it was 46 days.

CONCLUSIONS

Supracricoid laryngectomy with cricohyoidoepiglotopexy allows to preserve the basic functions of the larynx (respiration, degluttion and phonation), as well as the reintegration of affected patients to social life. All patients must be evaluated carefully in order avoid changing the stage or the surgical plan due to substadification of the tumor.