Rib cartilage for laryngeal reconstrucion in patients with chondrosarcoma (a case report)

Introduction Chondrogenic tumors represent a very rare tumor entity and mostly affect the cricoid cartilage. Even if the peritumoral safety zone in a low grade chondrosarcoma does not have to be too large, a laryngectomy is often performed, which is very stressful, especially for young patients.

Methods The case of a 35-year-old patient who presented with a globe feeling that had existed for one and a half years and recurrent, mainly leftsidedstabbing pain at the level of the larynx with a left emphasis is demonstrated. Imaging revealed the suspicion of a chrondrogenic tumor of the thyroid cartilage. Histologic findings revealed a low-grade chondrosarcoma. Due to the young age of the patient, we decided to perform a partial laryngeal resection with reconstruction using rib cartilage.

Results For the reconstruction, the rib cartilage of ribs 7 and 8 was removed. The lamina sinistra of the thyroid cartilage including the perichondrium was exposed by a thyro-fissure and two thirds resected to the oblique line. The graft was then fixed with a 4-hole plate and sutured to the oblique line with several PDS sutures. After 24 hours extubation could be performed without complications, after two days the oral intake was started. After complete healing, the globe feeling had vanished, the voice was only slightly hoarse and no oropharyngeal dysphagia was observed.

Conclusion In young patients with a chondrogenic tumour of the larynx, a partial laryngeal resection with an attempt to preserve the function of the larynx seems to be useful, as there is a good chance of rehabilitation for their swallowing and voice disorders.

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Publication History

Article published online:
10 June 2020