laryngectomy

Description

A surgical procedure to remove all or part of the larynx (voice box).

During laryngectomy, the surgeon does a tracheostomy to place a tube in the neck to create a new path for air to reach the lungs. After surgery to remove part of the larynx (partial laryngectomy), the tube is removed and the person can talk and breathe in the usual way. If all of the larynx is removed (total laryngectomy), the person will breathe through a permanent stoma (artificial opening) in the throat and will have to learn to talk in a new way.

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