[Ruptured pexis after supracricoid partial laryngectomy: a series of 5 cases].

Objectives: Supracricoid partial laryngectomies have a rare but a specific complication which is the rupture of the pexy. After cricohyoidoepiglottopexy or cricohyoidopexy, a separation can appear between the hyoid bone and the cricoid cartilage. Our objective was to define how to treat and to prevent this complication.

Methods: One hundred and one supracricoid partial laryngectomies were performed in our department between 1980 and 2006. A retrospective analysis of the medical charts and operative files revealed that 5 patients have had a ruptured pexy. A review of the diagnosis, management, and outcome of these five cases is presented and discussed in this paper.

Results: The diagnosis was done in the first post-operative month for all cases. Delay in decannulation time, swallowing disorders, local infection were associated with the rupture of the pexy. The separation between the hyoid bone and the cricoid cartilage was also suspected at neck palpation and in endoscopy. Lateral plain Xrays of the neck or CT scans were used to confirm the diagnosis. A medical treatment, a completion total laryngectomy and three revisions of the pexis were performed.

Conclusions: In our series, an antecedent of radiation before surgery appears to be a risk factor for the development of this specific complication. A revision of the pexis procedure is advocated in case of a major ruptured pexis.