Dysphagia After Partial Laryngectomy

Abstract

Management of head and neck cancer has changed over the last 30 years. Less radical surgeries and new therapies have resulted in improved survival and quality of life for patients with laryngeal cancer. Yet, open procedures remain a necessary surgical management option and speech-language pathologists must be ready to address the complete swallowing recovery needs of those patients. This article reviews current statistics regarding laryngeal cancers, etiologies and discusses the three main types of partial laryngectomy surgeries still performed. Descriptions of the surgical approaches and resulting anatomic changes are provided. Functional outcomes for each type of partial laryngectomy and the requisite dysphagia evaluations and interventions are reviewed.