Salvage laryngectomy following organ-preservation therapy - An evidence-based review

Abstract

Salvage total laryngectomy is often indicated in patients with recurrent or persistent laryngeal cancer after radiation or chemoradiation treatment. This article reviews and discusses key considerations regarding salvage laryngectomy. Within this article, a review of the salvage laryngectomy incidence in the major organ preservation trials, survival rates, predictors of outcomes, complication rates, and the roles of elective neck dissection and free tissue transfer for reconstruction in patients undergoing salvage laryngectomy is provided.

Keywords: Complications; Elective neck dissection; Free flap reconstruction; Locoregional flaps; Organ preservation; Pharyngocutaneous fistula; Prognostic factors; Salvage laryngectomy; Survival rates.