Complication-Free Laryngeal Surgery after Irradiation Failure with Prostaglandin E1 Administration

Abstract

To examine the usefulness and efficacy of administration of prostaglandin E₁ (PGE₁) after laryngeal surgery in patients who were previously treated with radiotherapy, we retrospectively examined the clinical data of 12 patients who had undergone partial laryngectomy and 21 patients who had undergone total laryngectomy. Complications were observed in 5 of the 7 cases treated with partial laryngectomy without PGE₁ administration, while no complications were observed in the 5 cases treated with PGE₁ after operation. Also, complications, including major leakage, were observed in 6 of the 15 patients who underwent total laryngectomy without PGE₁, and no complications were observed in the 6 patients who received PGE₁. The hospital stay was shorter for the patients treated with PGE₁ than for those not receiving such treatment. Although this study was a small, nonrandomized pilot trial, the results indicated that PGE₁ administration may be useful and effective for patients who undergo laryngeal surgery after irradiation failure, in decreasing the risk of postoperative complications and increasing the quality of life of the patients.