CASE REPORT
The Extended Role of Total Laryngectomy in Patients with Severe Neuromuscular Disabilities
More details
Hide details
1
Lister Hospital,Stevenage, UK
2
Ipswich Hospital, Ipswich, Suffolk, UK
3
James Paget University Hospital,Great Yarmouth, UK
4
Luton & Dunstable University Hospital, Luton, UK
Publication date: 2014-07-15
Corresponding author
Ananth Vijendren
Core Surgical Trainee ENT Department, Lister Hospital, East and North Herts NHS Trust, Coreys Mill Lane, Stevenage, SG1 4AB
Eur J Gen Med 2014;11(3):193-196
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Amongst the myriad of problems that patients with severe neurodisability encounter is that of recurrent airway obstructions and intractable aspiration pneumonias due to dysfunction of the protective mechanism of the larynx. Here, we describe the use of total laryngectomy as a surgical option for these patients. Case was 24 year old male with severe cerebral palsy suffering from recurrent episodes of airway obstruction and aspiration pneumonia. In the severely disabled patient with recurrent aspiration pneumonias, total laryngectomy may present as a viable option, especially in those patients who have been previously incapable of effective verbal communication.