Having a Laryngectomy
This section is designed to give you information about having a laryngectomy and the care you will receive before, during and after your operation.
What is a Laryngectomy?
A Laryngectomy is a surgical operation in which all or part of the larynx is removed. People have a laryngectomy if the voice box (larynx) needs removing. This is mainly due to a malignant tumour (cancer) or, more rarely, a severe mechanical problem.
This results in two major changes following the operation:
- A new way of breathing.
- Loss of voice.
The operation is undertaken with the aim of curing the cancer. This operation is often the first stage of treatment and is usually followed with radiotherapy treatment to ensure that all the cancer is removed.
What is the voice box (larynx) and what does it do? The voice box is the area at the top of the windpipe (trachea) through which air passes in order to breathe. The vocal cords stretch across the voice box and vibrate in order to make sounds for speech. The voice box also prevents food, drinks, saliva or any particles from going into your windpipe (trachea).
What does the operation involve?
The operation can differ from person to person depending upon the position of the cancer in the larynx in relation to the surrounding structures, for example the thyroid gland( which sits in font of the larynx) or the pharynx (the upper part of the gullet through which food enters the oesophagus). Your consultant will discuss this with you.
The operation usually involves removal of the voice box and part or all of the thyroid gland which sits in front of the larynx. Some neck glands on either side of the neck are usually removed also to ensure the cancer is completely taken away. This is called a neck dissection, it can vary from person to person and your consultant will discuss this with you.
What will I look like after the operation?
Once the voice box has been removed, your windpipe is separated at the top from in front of your food pipe (oesophagus) and bent over to open on the front, lower, middle part of your neck. The opening is called a stoma.
Most people find the stoma a lot smaller and less of a problem than they first thought. It is safe and the stoma (opening) will not close down.
Once the surgery has settled you will be advised what to wear on your neck, to protect your stoma, by the hospital staff looking after you.
Following the operation you will not breathe through your mouth or nose or cough up mucus from your chest into your mouth. Instead you will breathe through the opening (stoma) at the lower front of your neck which extends into your windpipe (trachea) and down into your lungs.
You will be able to breathe and cough comfortably through this opening. Because air is no longer going through the nose you are no longer able to sniff effectively or purposefully smell.
Once you have recovered from the operation you should not have any problems when eating or drinking after your voice box has been removed.