Background: Transoral supraglottic laryngectomy (TSL) has been widely applied in the treatment of supraglottic cancers. The aim of this study is to evaluate a simplified technique for excising properly selected supraglottic tumors with a transoral coblation-assisted system.
Methods: Eight patients with T1-3N2M0 supraglottic cancer were treated with TSL with the coblation-assisted system.
Results: Tumors in all patients were en bloc resected with negative surgical margins and the selective neck dissection was also performed. The mean operation time for TSL was 39 minutes (25-65 minutes). The average time for the removal of the nasogastric tube was 8.6 days (1-28 days). All patients were extubated and shifted to the ward after operation. None of the patients required tracheotomy.
Conclusion: Coblation-assisted TSL is a relatively simple, easy approach with low risk. It could be a feasible and safe procedure for patients with properly selected supraglottic cancer.
Keywords: Supraglottic cancers; coblation radiofrequency; complications; surgical technique; transoral supraglottic laryngectomy.