A Case of Subtotal Laryngectomy and Reconstruction by Using Forearm Free Flap for Supraglottic T3 Cancer with Cordal Fixation

Abstract

A 59-year-old woman with supraglottic T3 cancer was reported. Her right vocal cord lost movement and a tumor was suspected of having invaded the cricoarytenoid joint. She had a history of concurrent chemo-radio-therapy for esophageal cancer and preferred to undergo surgery. We resected a part of the cricoid cartilage beyond the joint and more than a half of thyroid cartilage beyond the midline and reconstructed the larynx by using a forearm free flap. She was discharged 55 days after the surgery and the tracheal stoma closed about a year after the surgery. Five years have passed with no recurrence. She was capable of taking on a normal diet for 30 min-utes without aspiration. Although it took a long time to heal, her laryngeal function was ultimately preserved.