Bilateral omohyoid muscle flap reconstruction for anterior commissure cancer

Partial laryngectomy for anterior commissure cancer often results in a shortened glottis which produces a high pitched strained voice and an inadequate airway lumen which requires permanent tracheostomy. Vocal fold vibration is impaired both by the shortened length and anterior scarring which profoundly affects the myoelastic properties of the larynx. Many different methods of reconstructing the anterior commissure have been attempted with limited success and many require multiple procedures. A method of anterior commissure reconstruction employing bilateral omohyoid muscle flaps has been performed successfully in four patients. The omohyoid muscles and investing fascia are readily available during partial laryngectomy and can be tailored to reconstitute the anterior commissure. The myofascial flaps epithelialize rapidly and there is little tendency for anterior glottic stenosis. The sphincteric function of the larynx remains intact and the vocal quality surpasses other methods of reconstruction employed by the author.