About
Need to know
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What happens icon plus
Partial laryngectomies are uncommon, but sometimes used to treat laryngeal cancer. During surgery, the affected part of your larynx is removed, leaving some of your vocal chords in place to make talking possible.
With a total laryngectomy, your whole larynx is removed, making it harder for normal speech to continue afterwards. During surgery, a small, permanent hole will be made in the trachea (called a stoma) to help you to breathe. Afterwards, stitches will be used to close your throat muscles. This is usually offered to people with more advanced stages of laryngeal cancer. -
How to prepare icon plus
A laryngectomy is a serious, lengthy treatment lasting between five and 12 hours. The surgery is performed under general anaesthetic, so you will be asleep and won’t feel pain during the procedure.
You may need to prepare for the surgery by having blood tests and a physical examination beforehand, as well as fasting and stopping certain medications.
Your consultant will tell you how to prepare for your operation to ensure you know what to expect. They will take time to talk you through the risks and side effects involved and answer any questions you may have. -
Afterwards icon plus
When you wake up, you'll be in our intensive care unit (ICU) where our specialist nurses will give you one-to-one care. You might be attached to a respirator to help you breathe and you'll have a tube passed through your nose into your stomach to feed you for the first few weeks.
After the operation your speaking, swallowing, and breathing will be affected. At HCA UK, our multidisciplinary team will be on hand to help you recover and assist you with learning new ways to perform these tasks after surgery. It can take time to get used to having a stoma, but our team will give you help and advice so you can care for it and keep the area clean.
Our facilities
From complex surgery to straightforward procedures, we provide exceptional care across our network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics.
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The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place
London W1U 5NY
Appointments 020 7908 8001
Enquiries 020 7486 1234
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The Wellington Hospital
Wellington Place
London NW8 9LE
Appointments 0207 483 5148
Enquiries 0207 586 5959
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London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street
London
SE1 2PR
Appointments & Enquiries 0207 234 2009
Imaging Appointments 0207 234 2773
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The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street
London
W1G 8BJ
Appointments 020 7034 8181
Enquiries 020 7935 7700
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The Portland Hospital
205 - 209 Great Portland Street
London
W1W 5AH
Children's enquiries 020 7390 8020
Maternity enquiries 020 7390 6068
Gynaecology enquiries 020 7390 6200