Duke Surgeon Performs a Partial Laryngectomy to Treat Laryngeal Cancer

Based on the tumor’s location on the supraglottic larynx, its size and the patient’s overall good health, Kahmke determined that a partial laryngectomy was a viable option. 
 
“I thought that it would be possible to resect his cancer successfully, while maintaining his vocal cords, which was important to him,” says Kahmke. “We were very upfront with the patient about the risks and the possibility that we may have to convert to a total laryngectomy if we got positive margins or could not get good exposure through the mouth.”
 
Prior to surgery, Kahmke performed a tracheotomy to protect the patient’s airway from swelling and help prevent aspiration. He then utilized a transoral endoscopic approach to access the tumor, and he resected it successfully with negative margins. The patient remained in the hospital for a couple of days to manage swelling and to prepare him for the removal of the tracheotomy. 
 
During his recovery, the patient participated in swallowing therapy and voice therapy. He returned at regular intervals for follow-up care and assessment by Kahmke. Today, five years post-op, the patient is cancer-free. He experiences periods of inflammation, hoarseness and labored breathing on occasion, but he can talk and breathe normally, which has helped him maintain his quality of life.
 
“His goal was to be able to talk,” Kahmke said. “As doctors, we can't always give people what they want, but in this case, I’m glad we were able to preserve his function and also treat his cancer successfully.”