Impact and management of airway obstruction in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx.

BACKGROUND We compared postoperative complications and oncologic results after laryngectomy of patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), with and without airway obstruction. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 544 patients with laryngeal SCC between 1990 and 2000. Of 175 advanced cases receiving total laryngectomy, 32 initially presented with upper airway obstruction. RESULTS Postoperative complications after laryngectomy did not differ significantly between patients with and without airway obstruction (36% vs 28%; p = .353). Although patients with airway obstruction had more T4 (81% vs 42%; p < .001) and stage IV disease (82% vs 48%; p = .0004), tumor recurrence rates did not increase (21% vs 29%; p = .374). Five-year overall (52% vs 60%; p = .251), disease-specific (73% vs 70%; p = .982), and relapse-free (72% vs 68%; p = .982) survival did not differ significantly between groups. CONCLUSION After appropriate management of airway obstruction, the postoperative complications and oncologic results were similar to those without airway obstruction.