Partial laryngectomy

This is an automatically translated article.

Articles written by MSc, BS. Nguyen Vinh Toan, Department of Interspecialty - Vinmec Times City International General Hospital

Partial laryngectomy is indicated for patients with early laryngeal cancer to help preserve a part of speech function and have little effect on swallowing function. So what do you need to prepare before surgery? What should patients pay attention to after surgery to recover quickly?

1. What is a partial laryngectomy?

Partial laryngectomy is surgery to remove part of the larynx. This surgery is often indicated for patients with laryngeal cancer. The choice of total or partial laryngectomy depends entirely on how far the cancer has spread. With partial laryngectomy, you can still preserve some speech function and have little effect on swallowing function. Partial laryngectomy may be indicated in cases of early cancer. The preoperative assessment includes patient questioning and physical examination. In addition to assessing the stage of cancer, doctors may need to perform tests such as an electrocardiogram, X-ray, CT-scan, MRI, or blood test. Due to the postoperative edema, usually when partial laryngectomy, the doctor will open the trachea to ensure the safety of the airway (within 5 days) to help the patient get used to the new airway slowly. Immediately after surgery you will probably need to put a feeding tube through your nose, and after surgery, your doctor will also check your ability to swallow and drink. Depending on the results of the assessment, you will be started on a soft diet. After surgery, there will be drainage tubes in the neck area to prevent the accumulation of fluid and blood in the wound. Drainage will be withdrawn after about 24 - 48 hours.

2. What are the risks of partial laryngectomy?

As with many other surgeries, there are risks and complications associated with partial laryngectomy:
Allergy to anesthesia; Shortness of breath; Infection; Bleed; Edema; Injury to the trachea, esophagus; Complications related to eating and swallowing; Complications related to speaking; Cancer recurrence.

3. What preparation is required before partial laryngectomy?

The night before surgery do not eat or drink anything. You can brush your teeth. If you eat or drink anything there will be no surgery. You need to report the drugs used and history of using drugs. A week before surgery, your doctor will advise you to avoid using drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamin E. If you have diabetes, report back to the doctor so that the medicine can be adjusted. Remove rings, jewelry, do not polish or wear artificial nails.

4. Post-surgery notes

Activities: After surgery, you need to avoid doing strenuous activities such as lifting heavy objects, jogging. Your doctor will note what activities you can do during this recovery period. Diet: You will be nourished through an intravenous infusion or through a nasal tube in the hospital. Your doctor will evaluate your ability to swallow. Based on the results, you will be assigned a soft meal afterwards. You will be able to eat for 2-3 days after surgery. However, this time may be longer than 5-7 days. Incision care: You will have surgical scars in the area around the tracheostomy. Every day, the medical staff will take care of and change the dressing at the incision site. The sutures will be cut after 7 days. Medicines used: you will be treated with antibiotics after surgery to prevent infection. If you feel pain, your doctor will prescribe pain medication for you. Follow-up examination: After discharge from the hospital, the doctors will schedule a follow-up examination. Usually there are important follow-up milestones of 7 days, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months. To avoid causing complications after surgery and get the best results after surgery, you should go to reputable medical facilities for surgery. Vinmec International General Hospital is a high-quality medical facility in Vietnam with a team of highly qualified medical professionals, well-trained, domestic and foreign, and experienced.
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