Laryngectomy
What is Laryngectomy?
Laryngectomy is a surgical procedure to remove part or all of the larynx, typically performed to treat advanced laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer, or in rare cases, severe trauma or chronic aspiration. It results in a permanent tracheostomy, altering breathing and speech. In India, laryngectomy is conducted in ENT or head and neck surgery departments at hospitals like Apollo, Fortis, Medanta, and AIIMS, often at affordable costs. Understanding the procedure, costs, recovery, risks, and FAQs is essential for patients.
Why do you need Laryngectomy?
Laryngectomy is indicated for:
- Laryngeal cancer:
- Advanced stages (T3–T4): Cancer of the larynx or hypopharynx not responding to radiation/chemotherapy.
- Recurrence: After failed non-surgical treatment.
- Rare indications:
- Severe trauma: Irreparable laryngeal damage.
- Chronic aspiration: Inability to swallow safely (e.g., neurological conditions).
- Types:
- Total laryngectomy: Removes the entire larynx; permanent tracheostomy created.
- Partial laryngectomy: Removes part of the larynx (e.g., supraglottic laryngectomy); voice preservation possible but less common due to cancer stage.
The procedure aims to eradicate cancer, prevent its spread, and ensure safe breathing, though it requires significant adjustments to speech (via speech therapy) and breathing (via tracheostomy).
Why Do Laryngectomy Costs Vary in India?
Costs range from ₹1 lakh to ₹3 lakh :
- Procedure Complexity: Total laryngectomy (₹1–2 lakh); with neck dissection or flap reconstruction (₹2–3 lakh).
- Hospital/Location: Higher in metro cities (Apollo, Fortis: ₹2–3 lakh); lower in government hospitals (AIIMS: ₹50,000–₹1 lakh, often subsidized under Ayushman Bharat).
- Surgeon’s Expertise: Experienced head and neck surgeons charge more.
- Additional Costs: Anesthesia (₹10,000–₹20,000), hospital stay (₹5,000–₹15,000/day), tracheostomy supplies (₹2,000–₹5,000), speech therapy (₹5,000–₹15,000 initially).
- Insurance: Covered for cancer treatment; confirm with your provider.
Laryngectomy Procedure
- Before Surgery Evaluation:
- Diagnosis:
- Laryngoscopy/biopsy: Confirms cancer type (e.g., squamous cell carcinoma, 90% of cases), stage, and extent.
- CT/MRI/PET scan: Assesses tumor spread (e.g., lymph nodes, lungs).
- Blood tests: Blood sugar, clotting profile, thyroid function.
- Speech/swallowing assessment: Prepares for post-op rehabilitation.
- Consent: Risks, including permanent voice loss, are explained.
- Diagnosis:
- Surgical Techniques:
- Total Laryngectomy:
- Performed under general anesthesia, lasting 4–6 hours.
- Incision: Horizontal or U-shaped incision in the neck (10–15 cm).
- Larynx removal:
- Entire larynx (vocal cords, epiglottis) removed.
- Pharynx reconstructed (often using a flap if cancer involves hypopharynx).
- Tracheostomy: Trachea sutured to a permanent stoma in the neck for breathing.
- Neck dissection: Lymph nodes removed if cancer has spread (selective or radical neck dissection).
- Feeding tube: Temporary nasogastric tube (NGT) placed for nutrition (1–2 weeks).
- Intraoperative Tools:
- Endoscope: Visualizes tumor extent (pre-op).
- Harmonic scalpel: Minimizes bleeding during dissection.
- Tracheostomy tube: Secures airway post-surgery.
- Total Laryngectomy:
- After Surgery:
- Hospital stay: 7–14 days.
- Care: Tracheostomy care (suctioning, humidified air); NGT feeding for 1–2 weeks.
- Pain management: Moderate pain for 5–7 days; managed with analgesics (e.g., tramadol).
- Instructions: Avoid heavy lifting for 6 weeks; speech therapy starts after healing (2–4 weeks).
Recovery After Laryngectomy
- Hospital Stay: 7–14 days.
- Post-Surgery Care:
- Pain/Swelling: Moderate neck pain for 5–7 days; swelling resolves in 2–3 weeks.
- Breathing: Permanent tracheostomy; requires daily cleaning, humidification, and suctioning.
- Nutrition: NGT feeding for 1–2 weeks; swallowing therapy to resume oral intake (2–4 weeks).
- Speech: Voice loss immediate; speech options:
- Electrolarynx: Handheld device (starts 2–4 weeks).
- Tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP): Prosthesis placed (3–6 months post-op) for better voice.
- Esophageal speech: Taught via therapy (less common).
- Activity: Avoid strenuous activity for 6 weeks; neck mobility exercises after 2 weeks.
- Follow-Up:
- Visits at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and every 3–6 months for cancer surveillance.
- Imaging: CT/PET at 3–6 months to check for recurrence.
Most resume normal activities in 4–6 weeks; full adjustment (speech, swallowing) takes 6–12 months. Success rate: 85–90% achieve cancer control (5-year survival for early-stage laryngeal cancer); speech rehabilitation success varies (60–80% with TEP achieve good voice).
Risks and Complications
- Surgical Risks:
- Bleeding (2–5%): Neck hematoma; may need drainage.
- Infection (3–5%): Wound or stoma infection; treated with antibiotics.
- Pharyngocutaneous fistula (5–10%): Leakage of saliva through the neck incision; may need surgical repair.
- Post-Surgery:
- Stoma narrowing (2–5%): Scar tissue at tracheostomy site; may need dilation.
- Swallowing difficulty (5–10%): Due to pharyngeal reconstruction; managed with swallowing therapy.
- Hypothyroidism (10–20%): If thyroid gland affected; needs lifelong thyroid medication.
- Cancer recurrence (10–20% over 5 years): Needs radiation or further surgery.
- Long-Term:
- Social/psychological impact: Adjusting to voice loss and tracheostomy; support groups help.
- Stoma care issues: Mucus buildup or crusting; needs consistent care.
Report fever, severe pain, swelling, breathing difficulty, or leakage from the incision promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What causes laryngeal cancer?
Smoking, alcohol, HPV infection, or chronic vocal cord irritation; 90% are squamous cell carcinomas.
Can I avoid laryngectomy?
Yes, for early-stage cancer: Radiation or partial laryngectomy; total laryngectomy is for advanced cases.
Is laryngectomy painful?
Moderate pain for 5–7 days, managed with medication; discomfort reduces in 2–3 weeks.
How soon can I resume activities?
Light activities: 2–3 weeks; normal activities: 4–6 weeks; full adjustment: 6–12 months.
Is laryngectomy covered by insurance in India?
Yes, for cancer treatment; confirm with your provider.
Signs of complications?
Fever, severe pain, swelling, breathing difficulty, or leakage from incision.
Will I ever speak again after laryngectomy?
Yes, with rehabilitation: 60–80% achieve good speech with TEP; electrolarynx or esophageal speech are alternatives.
Lifestyle changes post-surgery?
Daily tracheostomy care, speech/swallowing therapy, avoid smoking/alcohol, and attend regular cancer follow-ups.
Conclusion
Laryngectomy is a life-saving procedure for advanced laryngeal cancer, effectively controlling the disease but requiring significant lifestyle adjustments for breathing and speech. India’s top hospitals (Apollo, Fortis, AIIMS) provide affordable care, often covered by insurance. Understanding the procedure, costs, recovery, risks, and FAQs helps patients approach surgery confidently. Consult an ENT or head and neck surgeon for personalized guidance
Looking for Best Hospitals for Laryngectomy
Note: we are not promoting any hospitals
we are not promoting any hospitals we sourced all the details from google and hospitals website, please verify and start with your surgery here we go the list includes government, budget and superspeciality hospitals accreditation bodies are the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) and the Joint Commission International (JCI)
- click on your city and schedule your surgery now done in good hands.
| City | Minimum Price (₹) | Maximum Price (₹) |
|---|---|---|
Agra |
1,00,000 |
2,80,000 |
Ahmedabad |
1,20,000 |
3,00,000 |
Ajmer |
1,00,000 |
2,80,000 |
Aligarh |
1,00,000 |
2,80,000 |
Allahabad |
1,00,000 |
2,80,000 |
Amritsar |
1,10,000 |
2,90,000 |
Aurangabad |
1,10,000 |
2,90,000 |
Bangalore |
1,20,000 |
3,00,000 |
Bareilly |
1,00,000 |
2,80,000 |
Belgaum |
1,10,000 |
2,90,000 |
Bhopal |
1,10,000 |
2,90,000 |
Bhubaneswar |
1,10,000 |
2,90,000 |
Bikaner |
1,00,000 |
2,80,000 |
Chandigarh |
1,20,000 |
3,00,000 |
Chennai |
1,20,000 |
3,00,000 |
Coimbatore |
1,20,000 |
3,00,000 |
Dehradun |
1,10,000 |
2,90,000 |
Delhi |
1,20,000 |
3,00,000 |
Dhanbad |
1,00,000 |
2,80,000 |
Durgapur |
1,00,000 |
2,80,000 |
Faridabad |
1,20,000 |
3,00,000 |
Ghaziabad |
1,20,000 |
3,00,000 |
Gorakhpur |
1,00,000 |
2,80,000 |
Guntur |
1,10,000 |
2,90,000 |
Gurgaon |
1,20,000 |
3,00,000 |
Guwahati |
1,10,000 |
2,90,000 |
Gwalior |
1,00,000 |
2,80,000 |
Hyderabad |
1,20,000 |
3,00,000 |
Indore |
1,10,000 |
2,90,000 |
Jabalpur |
1,00,000 |
2,80,000 |
Jaipur |
1,20,000 |
3,00,000 |
Jalandhar |
1,10,000 |
2,90,000 |
Jamshedpur |
1,10,000 |
2,90,000 |
Jodhpur |
1,00,000 |
2,80,000 |
Kanpur |
1,00,000 |
2,80,000 |
Kochi |
1,20,000 |
3,00,000 |
Kolkata |
1,20,000 |
3,00,000 |
Kollam |
1,10,000 |
2,90,000 |
Lucknow |
1,10,000 |
2,90,000 |
Ludhiana |
1,20,000 |
3,00,000 |
Madurai |
1,10,000 |
2,90,000 |
Mangalore |
1,10,000 |
2,90,000 |
Meerut |
1,00,000 |
2,80,000 |
Moradabad |
1,00,000 |
2,80,000 |
Mumbai |
1,20,000 |
3,00,000 |
Mysore |
1,20,000 |
3,00,000 |
Nagpur |
1,10,000 |
2,90,000 |
Nashik |
1,10,000 |
2,90,000 |
Navi Mumbai |
1,20,000 |
3,00,000 |
Noida |
1,20,000 |
3,00,000 |
Patna |
1,00,000 |
2,80,000 |
Pune |
1,20,000 |
3,00,000 |
Raipur |
1,10,000 |
2,90,000 |
Rajkot |
1,10,000 |
2,90,000 |
Ranchi |
1,00,000 |
2,80,000 |
Surat |
1,20,000 |
3,00,000 |
Thane |
1,20,000 |
3,00,000 |
Vadodara |
1,10,000 |
2,90,000 |
Varanasi |
1,00,000 |
2,80,000 |
Visakhapatnam |
1,10,000 |
2,90,000 |
Disclaimer
This information is sourced from open platforms and is for general awareness only. Costs may vary based on individual cases. Please consult a qualified doctor for medical advice and explore options within your budget before deciding on the procedure.