Laryngotracheoplastic resection for primary tumors of the proximal airway

BackgroundPrimary tumors of the airway with proximity to vocal cords and recurrent laryngeal nerves can be resected with sparing of the larynx. Long-term data on survival and local recurrence after laryngotracheal resection are scarce.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study of laryngotracheal resection and reconstruction for primary tumors of the airway since 1972.ResultsTwenty-five patients aged 15 to 77 years presented with adenoid cystic carcinomas (n = 9), squamous cell carcinomas (n = 6), and other airway tumors (n = 10). Subglottic resection consisted of anterior cricoid in 5 patients; posterior cricoid mucosa in 9 patients, with resection of the posterior cricoid plate in 3 patients; lateral resection in 7 patients; and combined anterior and posterior elements in 4 patients. Vascularized trachea was tailored to reconstruct the defect. Seven patients without hoarseness required resection of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, and 4 other patients with hoarseness did not. There were no operative deaths. Two (8.0%) patients who had received prior high-dose cervical radiation had anastomotic separation, one requiring laryngectomy. One patient needed permanent tracheostomy, and temporary (