Oncological and Functional Evaluation of Open Conservation Surgery for Hypopharyngeal Cancer with/without Reconstruction

OBJECTIVES: Oncological and functional results of open conservation surgery for hypopharyngeal cancer have been desired. METHODS: We performed a chart review of 33 patients with hypopharyngeal cancer who underwent open conservation surgery. Oncological and functional results were evaluated in surgery with primary closure (Group A) and surgery with reconstruction (Group B). Postoperative functions were evaluated by interval to resumption of oral intake, Functional Outcome Swallowing Scale (FOSS) and Communication Scale (CS). RESULTS: Five-year disease-specific and overall cumulative survival rates by Kaplan-Meier method for all cases were 95.7% and 82.3%, respectively. Duration from surgery to full oral intake was 12 days in Group A and 14 days in Group B. FOSS rates were 83.3 in Group A and 95.5 in Group B. CS was 0 in both groups. CONCLUSION: Oncological and functional results of open conservation surgery were comparable to those with transoral surgery and chemo/radiotherapy. Our technique represents a reliable treatment for hypopharyngeal cancer.