Laryngeal suspension in head and neck surgery.

Nineteen cases with major resections of the head and neck were treated with laryngeal suspension and cricopharyngeal myotomy in an attempt to allow swallowing function postoperatively and avoid a total laryngectomy. Sixteen cases were available for evaluation. Eight cases (50%) were able to eat by mouth, 15 patients (94%) had a normal airway and 14 patients (87%) had intelligible speech.