Rehabilitation following open partial laryngeal surgery: key issues and recommendations from the UK evidence based meeting on laryngeal cancer

Abstract

Background: It is recognised that a limited cohort of patients receive open partial laryngeal surgery in specific centres within the UK, so sharing information around key clinical issues and recommendations for practice is necessary to improve outcomes.

Methods: This position statement provides practice recommendations based on a synthesis of the available evidence presented at the 12th Evidence Based Management day on 'Laryngeal Cancer' and the ensuing discussions. Literature searches and critical analysis of available evidence were undertaken and triangulated with the clinical experience of the authors to develop these recommendations.Results and conclusionThis paper presents a comprehensive overview of challenges that the multidisciplinary team may encounter. It provides recommendations for swallow and speech rehabilitation after open partial laryngectomy, and suggests practical ways that these issues may be addressed pre- and post-operatively.

Keywords: Larynx; Conservation Surgery; Dysphagia; Open Partial Surgery; Speech Rehabilitation; Swallow Rehabilitation; Swallow Therapy.