Outcome Of Total Laryngectomy In Management Of Laryngeal Cancer In Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Introduction: The larynx is the voice box responsible for voice production when air passes through it. The glottis is the commonest subregion of the larynx where malignancy occurs. Laryngeal cancer contributes about 25% of all head and neck cancers, and 2% of all cancers in the body. Laryngectomy is a surgical procedure done to remove the larynx, and a total laryngectomy is usually done in advanced disease. This study was aimed at highlighting the outcome of total laryngectomy done in patients diagnosed with laryngeal cancer in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Methods: This was a retrospective study of 16 patients diagnosed with laryngeal cancer, out of which 12 subjects consented to and had total laryngectomy. The study was carried out in the ENT department of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital within the period of January 2002 and December 2019. Clinical records were obtained from the Medical records department of the hospital. Data obtained was presented in tables, figures and percentages. Results: The study noted that all 16 patients diagnosed with laryngeal cancer were males, age range of subjects were 45-73 years, and only 12 had total laryngectomy because some patients were lost to follow-up after diagnosis. Pharyngo-cutaneous fistula was the commonest complication noted in this study and highest number of subjects had survival rate of 2-5 years. Conclusion: Laryngeal cancer is treatable if diagnosed early, late presentation with advanced disease worsens prognosis and increases the predisposition to total laryngectomy. Advanced disease also increases the chances of residual tumour or tumour recurrence while decreasing survival rate following surgery. Recommendation: More enlightenment should be carried out to improve awareness of laryngeal cancer and its treatment, this may improve early presentation to hospital. Ordinarily, treatment of cancer is financially cumbersome on patients paying out of pocket for healthcare. So the adverse effect of poverty on the management of cancers, can be alleviated if an established source of funding can be created by government to aid treatment of cancers.