Case of partial vertical laryngectomy with vocal cord reconstruction using a thyroid gland flap.

BACKGROUND To preserve laryngeal function in early-stage laryngeal cancer, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are performed more often than surgery as initial treatment. However, in recurrent cases, complex salvage surgery is often required as patients who received aggressive chemoradiotherapy are susceptible to postoperative complications. We report here salvage therapy that preserved laryngeal function in a recurrent case. METHODS A 52-year-old man with recurrent laryngeal cancer (rT2N0M0) after chemoradiotherapy and followed by induction chemotherapy underwent partial vertical laryngectomy and right vocal cord reconstruction with a thyroid flap. RESULTS Laryngeal functions were successfully preserved and the patient was discharged 2 months after surgery. CONCLUSION The number of salvage surgeries performed after high-dose chemotherapy and radiation is expected to increase in the future. A thyroid gland flap promises to be an effective treatment option for vocal cord reconstruction especially for patients at high risk of postchemoradiotherapy complications.