Introduction 1. Airway protection is the most fundamental role of the mammalian larynx. (See Additional Sources for in-depth discussion.) 2. For some patients, laryngeal function is compromised by disease processes to the extent that its airway protection role becomes inadequate…
Introduction Tracheostomy is essentially a “shortcut” into the airway that “bypasses” the upper airway. Most tracheostomies are performed for ventilator support in critically ill patients or as a temporary airway to accompany surgical procedures on the oral cavity, pharynx, or…
Introduction Vertical partial laryngectomy (VLP) is used for cancers extending to or crossing the anterior commissure. Hence the resection as typically performed entails removal of several millimeters of the contralateral vocal cord as well as the midline portion of the…