Complications of total laryngectomy in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of the Hospital de Clínicas from 2015-2022

Abstract

Introduction: Laryngeal cancer is the most common malignant neoplasia of the aerodigestive tract, representing 4.5% of the organism’s cancers and the 30% of the head and neck cancers. Post-operatory complications of the total laryngectomy are frequent and predisposing factors for them are known. Knowing the prevalence of total laryngectomy’s complications, performed means for its treatment, anatomical site, presence or absence of previous adjuvant treatments were set as objectives. Materials and methods: A descriptive and retrospective study was conducted in the Clinical Hospital, Otorhinolaryngology Area, from 2015 to 2022. The study was constituted by a total of 46 patients admitted with the laryngeal cancer diagnosis, 21.7% (10) of which had a total laryngectomy performed on them. Other surgical techniques were excluded. Results: 10 patients submitted to a total laryngectomy within an age range of 31-70 years old, all males. Supraglottic compromise was of 30%. 70% presented complications. The most frequent complication was pharyngocutaneous fistula, others were immediate post-operatory bleeding and surgical site’s infection. 71.4% of patients with fistula were resolved only with conservative means, 2 required reintervention for the defect’s closure. Conclusion: Total laryngectomy complications are present very frequently, affecting the quality of life, evolution, and post-surgical recovery of the patients.