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Variation in surgical methods used for total laryngectomy in Australia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 March 2017

J Maclean ,
S Cotton  and
A Perry
J Maclean*
Affiliation:
Cancer Care Centre, St George Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
S Cotton
Affiliation:
ORYGEN Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Australia
A Perry
Affiliation:
School of Human Communication Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
*
Address for correspondence: Ms Julia Maclean, Cancer Care Centre, St George Hospital, Short St, Kogarah, NSW, Australia2217. Fax: +61 2 9113 3935 E-mail: Julia.Maclean@sesiahs.health.nsw.gov.au
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Abstract

Deglutition disorders (dysphagia) are common following total laryngectomy. As the aetiology of the disorder is poorly understood, its incidence is probably under-estimated. Dysphagia may result from many factors, including the type of laryngectomy surgery employed and the use of adjuvant treatments (e.g. radiotherapy and chemotherapy). Dysphagia may also be compounded by other co-morbid factors, such as ageing and depression.

Aim:

To investigate the methods of surgical closure used by Australian ENT and head and neck surgeons after undertaking total laryngectomy surgery.

Method:

In order to audit surgical variation, 56 short questionnaires were sent to all Australian ENT and head and neck surgeons who were registered members of the Australia and New Zealand Head and Neck Society. Twenty-eight questionnaires (50 per cent) were completed and returned.

Results:

Respondents reported using a variety of different reconstructive methods after total laryngectomy surgery. Specifically, there were differences in the type and levels of pharyngeal closure employed and the suturing techniques used.

Conclusion:

Currently, there is no scientific evidence to direct surgeons to the optimal pharyngeal reconstruction technique(s) ensuring for good swallowing results post-laryngectomy. An analysis of the effect of surgical reconstruction technique on laryngectomees' post-operative swallowing ability is needed, in order to provide evidence to determine optimal surgical techniques.

Keywords

Deglutition DisordersTotal LaryngectomySurgical Procedures
Type
Main Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 122 , Issue 7 , July 2008 , pp. 728 - 732
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2008

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Footnotes

Presented as a poster at the European Group for Functional Reconstruction after Laryngectomy meeting was held June 9–12 2007, the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Head and Neck Society was held July 26–28 2007, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

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