Hemilaryngectomy and vocal cord reconstruction with digastric tendon graft.

Carcinoma of the true vocal cords is treated in various ways. Hemilaryngectomy is one of these. Unfortunately, this procedure often leaves the patient unable to speak well, and he or she may suffer from aspiration or compromised respiratory function. Five patients with tumor limited to the true vocal cords without cord fixation were treated by hemilaryngectomy with digastric tendon graft insertion in the area of the excised cord. All had reasonable speech facility and no problems with either aspiration of respiratory obstruction postoperatively. Mortality was zero and morbidity was minimal. The technique of digastric tendon graft improves the functional outcome for those patients selected for hemilaryngectomy.