Salvage laryngectomy: Oncological and functional outcome

The purpose of the research was to evaluate postoperative complications, functional outcome and survival after salvage laryngectomy. Second, to evaluate the management of the neck in combination with a laryngectomy in this group of patients. A retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent total laryngectomy for residual or recurrent squamous cell laryngeal carcinoma after (chemo)radiotherapy between November 1990 and June 2007 was performed. Of the 120 patients that were included, the complication rate was 56% (33% major and 23% minor). In univariate analyses, T-stage (p = 0.05), bilateral neck dissection (p = 0.09) and ASA score (p = 0.08) showed a trend for postoperative major complications. Lymph node metastases were found in 26% of the neck dissection specimens, with a trend towards more regional disease at higher initial N-stage (p = 0.06) and T-stage (p = 0.08). Five-year disease specific survival was 58%. In univariate analyses pre-operative chemoradiation (vs. radiation) (p = 0.0001), N3 neck (p = 0.001) and positive surgical margins (p = 0.02) were significant predictors for a worse disease specific survival, but only positive surgical margins (p < 0.001) maintained significance in multivariate analysis. Eighty-seven percent of the patients were able to produce speech using a voice prosthesis, and 84% of the patients were able to have a 'normal' or 'soft' diet. There was an almost significant increase in mean body mass index (BMI) 6-12 months postoperative (p = 0.057). Laryngectomy after radiotherapy offers good survival, with a substantial risk of complications and good functional outcome.