featured diagnosis: laryngectomy
I wanted to start reviewing some different diagnoses--a basic overview and then some implications for treatment. Besides, let's be honest, grad school was a while ago and it may be good for a quick refresher! (Keep in mind, it is an overview and therefore is very basic.) So today I wanted to review larygectomies. WHAT IS IT? A laryngectomy is the surgical removal of the larynx and subsequent separation of the airway from the mouth, nose, and esophagus. A stoma is created to allow a person to breath through an opening in the neck. There are 2 different types of laryngectomies: -Total laryngectomy--the vocal folds, hyoid bone, epiglottis, thyroid and cricoid cartilage, and a few trachel cartilage rings are removed -Partial laryngectomy--only a portion of the larynx is removed The picture below is a total laryngectomy. WHY IS IT DONE? There are a few reasons why someone would have a laryngectomy ...
