Introduction 1. Airway protection is the most fundamental role of the mammalian larynx. (See Additional Sources for in-depth discussion.) 2. For some patients, laryngeal function is compromised by disease processes…
Introduction • Tracheostomy is essentially a “shortcut” into the airway that “bypasses” the upper airway. • Most tracheostomies are performed for ventilator support in critically ill patients or as a…
Introduction Bronchoscopy is an important diagnostic tool that can also be used therapeutically. Both rigid ( Fig. 18.1 ) and flexible bronchoscopes ( Fig. 18.2 ) can be used, and…
Introduction Endoscopic percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) is a safe and simple bedside procedure that is particularly well suited to patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Almost two-thirds of tracheostomies…
Introduction The most common location of laryngeal cancer is the glottis, followed by the supraglottis, with the least common site being the subglottis. The American Cancer Society estimates that more…
Introduction Total laryngopharyngectomy is employed for cancer of the hypopharynx. The hypopharynx forms the inferior part of the pharynx and is located immediately behind the larynx. It has three subsites—that…
Introduction Early supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma may be treated with either surgery or radiation as a single modality with equal results, based on retrospective evidence and extrapolation from larger studies…
Introduction Basic functions of the larynx include being the conduit for air, protecting the airway from aspiration, phonating, coughing, fixing the chest for straining activities, maintaining positive end-expiratory pressure, and…
Introduction Transoral CO 2 laser microsurgery is a well-established treatment for cancer of the larynx, particularly for T 1 or T 2 glottic cancer. Alternative treatment options include radiation therapy…
Introduction Historically, a variety of partial laryngectomies have been developed to preserve speech and avoid the permanent stoma associated with the classical total laryngectomy. The supracricoid partial laryngectomy was developed…
