Conservation surgery for laryngeal carcinoma.

Partial laryngeal surgery as a treatment for certain laryngeal carcinomas is sound in principle and practice. Knowledge of intralaryngeal barriers to spread is necessary for selection of appropriate patients and for surgical planning. Ten partial laryngeal procedures are discussed including selection criteria and cure rates for each. With meticulously accurate tumour staging and mapping, the practitioner can perform partial laryngeal surgery safely. Results equal or better those achieved by radiation therapy or total laryngectomy while preserving vocal function.