Long-term results of open cordectomy for the treatment of T1a glottic laryngeal carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the long-term results and prognostic factors in patients who have undergone open cordectomy (OC) for the treatment of T(1a) glottic laryngeal carcinoma.

METHODS: One hundred four epidermoid cancer patients operated from January 1989 through December 1999 were included in the study. Clinical parameters, postoperative complications, and postoperative stay were retrospectively evaluated in all cases.

RESULTS: Mean survival for the patients included in the study was 61.5+/-24.8 months after the date of operation (range: 11-121 months). Ninety-four patients did not have recurrent tumor (90.4%). Local, regional and distant recurrence were linked with a statistical negative impact on survival rates (p<0.05). Only sero-hematoma was significantly related to local recurrence (p<0.05), whereas the remainder complications did not. None of the complications was associated with neck recurrence or distant metastasis (p>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Open cordectomy is nowadays a valid technique for the surgical treatment of T(1a) glottic laryngeal carcinoma. Its results are comparable with those of other more recent techniques.