Supracricoid partial laryngectomy with cricohyoidopexy in the management of laryngeal carcinoma

Supracricoid partial laryngectomy with cricohyoidopexy is a conservative laryngeal procedure indicated in selected cases of supraglottic and transglottic carcinoma. In this technique, the thyroid cartilage, the paraglottic space, the preepiglottic space, and the whole epiglottis are excised, whereas the hyoid bone, the cricoid cartilage, and one or two artenoid cartilages are preserved. A cricohyoidopexy is used for closure. The surgical principle is based on the preservation of at least one functional and mobile cricoarytenoid unit. This procedure is a true organ preservation technique, as it preserves physiological rehabilitation of speech, swallowing, and respiration without a permanent tracheostomy. Indications, contraindications surgical technique, postoperative care, complications, and functional and oncological results are presented and discussed.