Modified fronto-lateral laryngectomy in treatment of glottic T1(a-b) cancer with anterior commissure involvement.

Objective: Evaluation of clinical and oncological safety of the modified fronto-lateral laryngectomy in the treatment of T1a-b glottic cancer.

Methods: Retrospective review of charts of patients managed with classical fronto-lateral laryngectomy or with our modified technique using a cervical fascia flap and a false cord flap to reconstruct the defect.

Results: No recurrence of cancer was observed in the present series and slight dysphonia was present in all cases. The patients managed with classical technique required a revision surgery for granulations or anterior synechia in 4 cases; those managed with modified technique did not need a second intervention.

Conclusion: The fronto-lateral laryngectomy should be present in the head-neck surgeon armamentarium. In T1a-b glottic cancer this technique gives a good oncological resection, but the postoperative period requires an intensive rehabilitation process. The modification of the classical technique reduces the incidence of a second intervention.