Frontal Anterior Laryngectomy with Epiglottic Reconstruction (Tucker’s Operation): Oncologic and Functional Results

Objective: To evaluate functional and oncological results of patients who were treated with frontal anterior laryngectomy with epiglottic reconstruction (Tucker’s operation). Material and Methods: From September 1985 to November 2009, 58 patients whose early glottic carcinomas were operated on with Tucker’s operation. The time of decannulation, nasogastric tube removal, hospitalization and oncological results were analyzed. Acoustic analysis and Voice Handicap Index (VHI) were used to evaluate vocal function. Results: The mean time for decannulation and nasogastric tube removal were 11.8±7.6 and 15.4±4.4 days, respectively. The mean duration of hospital stay was 19.3±6.1 days. It was found that early decannulation significantly reduced patient decannulation and hospitalization time. The 5-year overall and cause-specific actuarial survival rates were 81.5% and 96.9%, respectively. The 10-year overall and cause-specific survival rates were 67% and 92.3%, respectively. The 5-year local and nodal control rates were 95.4% and 95.2%, respectively. The mean values for jitter, shimmer and noise-to-harmonic ratio were 8.10±5.59%, 16.60±5.81% and 0.51±0.23, respectively, and these scores showed a significant increase. Total VHI score and subscale scores except VHI-emotional noted that patients had a mild level of vocal disability. Conclusion: Tucker’s operation is one of the preferred techniques in the treatment of early glottic carcinoma with its high oncologic success rate and satisfactory functional results.