You searched for: “laryngectomy
laryngectomy
Surgery to remove part or all of the larynx resulting in a partial or total laryngectomy.

In either operation, the surgeon performs a tracheostomy, creating an opening called a stoma in the front of the neck which may be temporary or permanent.

Air enters and leaves the trachea and lungs through this opening. A tracheostomy tube, also called a trache tube, keeps the new airway open.

A partial laryngectomy preserves the voice. The surgeon removes only part of the voice box, just one vocal cord, part of a cord, or just the epiglottis, and the stoma is temporary.

After a brief recovery period, the trache tube is removed, and the stoma closes up. The patient can then breathe and talk in the usual way. In some cases, however, the voice may be hoarse or weak.

In a total laryngectomy, the whole voice box is removed, and the stoma is permanent. The patient, called a laryngectomee, breathes through the stoma. A laryngectomee must learn to talk in a new way.

This entry is located in the following units: -ectomy, -ectome, -ectomize (page 16) laryng-, laryngo- + (page 1)
Word Entries containing the term: “laryngectomy
partial laryngectomy (also: horizontal laryngectomy, supraglottic laryngectomy)
An incomplete resection of the larynx in which the supraglottic portion is removed preserving the vocal cords.