The subtotal laryngectomy procedure enables the patient to avoid some of the serious consequences of total laryngectomy without having to relinquish oncological effectiveness. However, the important complication of aspiration may still seriously affect some patients. Many methods of reconstruction have been described in an attempt to avoid or minimise this complication.

Thirty-nine patients (15 with supraglottic laryngeal cancer and 24 with hypopharyngeal cancer) who had undergone subtotal laryngectomy between 2000 and 2006 were included in this study. In all patients, a sternohyoid muscle flap has been used for primary, one-stage reconstruction of laryngopharyngeal defects, following resection of advanced stage lesions. Patients' times to oral intake and decannulation, their speech function and their post-operative complications were reviewed.

The patients' three-year overall survival rate was 46.1 per cent. Their mean time to oral intake was 14 days. Twenty-six patients were decannulated (66.7 per cent). Almost all patients regained their speech function post-operatively, although their voice quality was not as good as before surgery.

Sternohyoid muscle fascia reconstruction leads to optimal repair of subtotal laryngectomy defects and restored laryngeal function.