Total Laryngectomy
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2025-03-03
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Open Access Atlas of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Operative Surgery
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University of Cape Town
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Abstract
Total laryngectomy is generally done for advanced cancers of the larynx and hypopharynx, recurrence following (chemo) radiation, and occasionally for intractable aspiration and advanced thyroid cancer invading the larynx. Although it is an excellent oncologic procedure and secures good swallowing without aspiration, it has disadvantages such as having a permanent tracheostomy; that verbal communication is dependent on oesophageal speech, and/or tracheoesophageal fistula speech or an electrolarynx; hyposmia; and the psychological and financial / employment implications. Even in the best centers, about 20% of patients do not acquire useful verbal communication.
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Reference:
Fagan, J. 2025. Total Laryngectomy. In Open Access Atlas of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Operative Surgery. J. Fagan, Ed.Cape Town, South Africa: University of Cape Town. 16. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43516 .