[Results of intracordal injection of autologous fat in postoperative laryngeal paralysis]. / Résultats de l'injection intracordale de graisse autologue dans les paralysies laryngées postchirurgicales.

OBJECTIVES: An analysis of the results achieved with intracordal autologous fat injection for unilateral laryngeal nerve paralysis after surgery. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A study group of 46 patients with unilateral laryngeal nerve paralysis was treated by intracordal injection of autologous fat with a minimum follow-up of eight months. All patients had severe dysphonia and 39 had breathlessness. Twenty-nine patients had aspiration problems with difficulties in swallowing. RESULTS: The only adverse side-effect was a subcutaneous abdominal hematoma in two patients and the development of an intracordal cyst in two patients. Aspiration disappeared immediately after the intracordal injection. Immediate improvement of speech, cough, and breathlessness was achieved in all patients. Over time, speech and voice, and swallowing remained stable in 67% and 80% of patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: Such data suggest that the intracordal injection of autologous fat is a valuable method in patients with unilateral laryngeal nerve paralysis after surgery.

Local recurrence after vertical partial laryngectomy, a conservative modality of treatment for patients with Stage I-II squamous cell carcinoma of the glottis.

BACKGROUND: Based on an inception cohort of 103 patients who had local recurrence (Group I) and a witness group of 311 patients who achieved local control (Group II) after vertical partial laryngectomy for Stage I-II glottic carcinoma, the current retrospective study documented the consequences and management of local recurrence. METHODS: Three hundred two patients (97.1%) in Group II and all 103 patients (100%) in Group I were followed until death or for a minimum of 10 years. Statistical analysis of survival, lymph node control, and distant metastasis was based on the Kaplan-Meier product limit method. RESULTS: The 10-year actuarial survival estimate was 30.8% for Group I patients and 63.1% for Group II patients. Survival was statistically more likely to be reduced in Group I patients (P < 0.0001) than in Group II patients. The percentage of patients who died of their initial disease was 44.6% in Group I and 6.3% in Group II. The 10-year actuarial lymph node control estimate was 70.2% for Group I and 96.1% for Group II. Lymph node recurrence was statistically more likely to occur in Group I patients than in Group II patients (P < 0.0001). The 10-year actuarial estimate for patients without distant metastasis was 80.2% for Group I and 96.7% for Group II. Distant metastasis was statistically more likely to occur in Group I patients than in Group II patients (P < 0.0001). Salvage treatment was unsuitable for 4.7% of patients with local recurrence; for other patients, it yielded a 86.7% local control rate, a 21.4% laryngeal preservation rate, a 4.5% death rate, and an 11.2% rate of incidence of severe complications. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with Stage I-II glottic carcinoma managed with vertical partial laryngectomy, local recurrence results in a reduced rate of survival as well as a high rate of necessity for salvage total laryngectomy.

[Laryngectomies and pharyngo-laryngectomies with tracheo-laryngo-pharyngeal shunt of Pearson type. Technique, indications and preliminary results]. / Laryngectomies et pharyngo-laryngectomies avec shunt trachéo-laryngo-pharyngé de type "Pearson". Technique, indications et résultats préliminaires.

The preliminary results achieved in a series of 10 patients consecutively managed at our department with Pearson's subtotal pharyngolaryngectomy, during the year 1995, are presented. The surgical procedure is described. Follow up varied from 6 to 13 months. None of the patients were lost to follow-up. None of the patients recurred locally or died from surgical-related complications. Nine patients achieved successful rehabilitation of speech and voice. One patient refused to use a functional shunt. Speech and voice parameters achieved by the third postoperative month are presented. Postoperative swallowing impairment was not encountered. The preliminary data achieved and the review of the medical literature suggested that Pearson's subtotal pharyngolaryngectomy should be discussed in patients conventionally managed with total laryngectomy or pharyngolaryngectomy and tracheosophageal puncture with voice prosthesis insertion.