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Which risk factors are associated with stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy for laryngeal cancer? A meta-analysis of the last 30 years Please cite this article as: Liang J, Zhu X, Zeng W, Yu T, Fang F, Zhao Y. Which risk factors are associated with stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy for laryngeal cancer? A meta-analysis of the last 30 years. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2020;86:502–12.

Abstract

Introduction

Stomal recurrence is a troublesome complication after total laryngectomy. Despite a large number of studies having been performed, there is still controversy about which risk factors are most significant for the development of stomal recurrence.

Objective

The objective of the present meta-analysis was to analyze the potential factors leading to stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy.

Methods

PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Ovid databases were systematically searched using multiple search terms. Eighteen studies with 6462 patients were identified. The quality of evidence was assessed by The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.

Results

The results showed that, tumor subsite (supraglottic vs. subglottic, RR = 0.292, 95% CI 0.142–0.600, p = 0.001; glottic vs. subglottic, RR = 0.344, 95% CI 0.175–0.676, p = 0.002), T stage (RR = 0.461, 95% CI 0.286–0.742, p = 0.001), preoperative tracheotomy (RR = 1.959, 95% CI 1.500–2.558, p < 0.001) were the high-risk factors associated with the development of stomal recurrence.

Conclusion

From the results of our study, tumor subsite, T stage and preoperative tracheotomy were the significant risk factors for stomal recurrence. Methodologically high-quality comparative investigations are needed for further evaluation.

Keywords
Laryngeal cancer; Stomal recurrence; Total laryngectomy; Risk factor; Meta-analysis

Palavras-chave
Câncer de laringe; Recorrência estomal; Laringectomia total; Fator de risco; Meta-análise

Resumo

Introdução

A recorrência estomal pós-laringectomia total e é uma complicação de difícil manejo. Apesar de um grande número de estudos ter sido feito, ainda há controvérsias sobre quais fatores de risco são mais significativos para o seu desenvolvimento.

Objetivo

O objetivo da presente meta-análise foi analisar os fatores potenciais para recorrência estomal após a laringectomia total.

Método

As bases de dados PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library e Ovid foram sistematicamente pesquisadas com vários termos de busca. Dezoito estudos com 6.462 pacientes foram identificados. A qualidade da evidência foi avaliada pelo National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.

Resultados

Os resultados mostraram que o subsítio tumoral (supraglótico vs. subglótico, RR = 0,292, IC 95% 0,142 ± 0,600, p = 0,001; glótico vs. subglótico, RR = 0,344, IC 95% 0,175 ± 0,676, p = 0,002), estágio T (RR = 0,461, IC 95% 0,286 ± 0,742, p = 0,001), traqueotomia pré-operatória (RR = 1,959, IC 95% 1.500 ± 2.558, p < 0,001) foram os fatores de alto risco associados ao desenvolvimento de recorrência estomal.

Conclusão

Com base nos resultados de nosso estudo, o subsítio do tumor, o estágio T e a traqueotomia pré-operatória foram fatores de risco significativos para recorrência estomal. São necessárias investigações comparativas metodologicamente de alta qualidade para maior avaliação.

Palavras-chave
Câncer de laringe; Recorrência estomal; Laringectomia total; Fator de risco; Meta-análise

Introduction

Laryngeal carcinoma represents one of the most common head and neck malignancies, accounting for approximately 20% of all cancer patients. Each year, approximately 10,000 persons in the US are diagnosed, accounting for 2.4% of new malignancies worldwide every year.11 Lin HW, Bhattacharyya N. Staging and survival analysis for nonsquamous cell carcinomas of the larynx. Laryngoscope. 2008;118:1003-1013. The majority of cancers are squamous cell carcinoma, and up to 40% of cases present with advanced disease.22 Shah JP, Karnell LH, Hoffman HT, Ariyan S, Brown GS, Fee WE, et al. Patterns of care for cancer of the larynx in the United States. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1997;123:475-483. Given the important role the larynx plays in human speech and communication, determining the optimal treatment of laryngeal cancer is critical. Laryngectomy has been a mainstay for treatment of laryngeal cancer for over 50 years. Although total laryngectomy (TL) offers significant therapeutic benefit, it is fraught with some long-term complications. The main postoperative complications after laryngectomy include laryngeal stenosis and pharyngo-peristomal fistula.33 van der Putten L, de Bree R, Kuik DJ, Rietveld DH, Buter J, Eerenstein SE, et al. Salvage laryngectomy: oncological and functional outcome. Oral Oncol. 2011;47:296-301.,44 Liang JW, Li ZD, Li SC, Fang FQ, Zhao YJ, Li YG. Pharyngocutaneous fistula after total laryngectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of risk factors. Auris Nasus Larynx. 2015;42:353-359. Stomal recurrence (SR) of laryngeal cancer is regarded as one of the most serious complications after TL. It is defined as “a diffuse infiltrate of neoplastic tissue at the junction of an amputated trachea and the skin”.55 Pezier TF, Nixon IJ, Joshi A, Pang L, Guerrero-Urbano T, Oakley R, et al. Pre-operative tracheostomy does not impact on stomal recurrence and overall survival in patients undergoing primary laryngectomy. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2013;270:1729-1735. According to the previous studies, the incidence rate varies greatly (2%–25%).66 Ampil F, Ghali G, Caldito G, Baluna R. Post-laryngectomy stomal cancer recurrences, re-treatment decisions and outcomes: case series. J Craniomaxillofac Surg. 2009;37:349-351. Although its incidence is relatively low, it is almost universally fatal. Thus, it constitutes a very complex therapeutic issue and often requires individualized management.

Many investigations have been performed to discover the contributing factors in the development of SR. Currently, various parameters have been considered as predisposing to SR in the literatures, such as primary location,77 Santoro R, Franchi A, Tempesti C, Sardi I, Polli G. Stomal recurrence following total laryngectomy: clinical and molecular analysis of a series. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2003;112:594-599.1111 Zhao H, Ren J, Zhuo X, Ye H, Zou J, Liu S. Stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy: a clinicopathological multivariate analysis. Am J Clin Oncol. 2009;32:154-157. histological grading,1111 Zhao H, Ren J, Zhuo X, Ye H, Zou J, Liu S. Stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy: a clinicopathological multivariate analysis. Am J Clin Oncol. 2009;32:154-157.1313 Mantravadi R, Katz AM, Skolnik EM, Becker S, Freehling DJ, Friedman M. Stomal recurrence. A critical analysis of risk factors. Arch Otolaryngol. 1981;107:735-738. tracheostomy timing,1111 Zhao H, Ren J, Zhuo X, Ye H, Zou J, Liu S. Stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy: a clinicopathological multivariate analysis. Am J Clin Oncol. 2009;32:154-157.,1414 Rockley TJ, Powell J, Robin PE, Reid AP. Post-laryngectomy stomal recurrence: tumour implantation or paratracheal lymphatic metastasis?. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci. 1991;16:43-47.1616 Halfpenny W, McGurk M. Stomal recurrence following temporary tracheostomy. J Larngol Otol. 2001;115:202-204. preoperative Radiotherapy (RT),88 Imauchi Y, Ito K, Takasago E, Nibu K, Sugasawa M, Ichimura K. Stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2002;126:63-66.,1010 Hassanabadi MS, Shadabi S, Sadr-Hosseini SM, Zarandi MM. Assessment of the recurrence rate of laryngeal cancer in tracheostoma in patients undergoing laryngectomy. J Med Sci. 2007;7:630-634.,1515 Rubin J, Johnson JT, Myers EN. Stomal recurrence after laryngectomy: interrelated risk factor study. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1990;103:805-812. post-operative RT,88 Imauchi Y, Ito K, Takasago E, Nibu K, Sugasawa M, Ichimura K. Stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2002;126:63-66.,99 Petrovic Z, Djordjevic V. Stomal recurrence after primary total laryngectomy. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci. 2004;29:270-273.,1717 Sartini AL, Fava AS, de Faria PH. Surgical stoma recurrence after total laringectomy. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2007;73:80-86. preoperative chemoradiotherapy,1818 Komiyama S, Watanabe H, Yanagita T, Kuwano M, Hiroto I. Inhibition of stomal recurrence in laryngectomy with preoperative far therapy. A statistical evaluation. Auris Nasus Larynx. 1984;11:43-49. T classification,1010 Hassanabadi MS, Shadabi S, Sadr-Hosseini SM, Zarandi MM. Assessment of the recurrence rate of laryngeal cancer in tracheostoma in patients undergoing laryngectomy. J Med Sci. 2007;7:630-634.,1212 Markou K, Goudakos J, Triaridis S, Konstantinidis J, Vital V, Nikolaou A. The role of tumor size and patient's age as prognostic factors in laryngeal cancer. Hippokratia. 2011;15:75-80.,1717 Sartini AL, Fava AS, de Faria PH. Surgical stoma recurrence after total laringectomy. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2007;73:80-86. N classification,99 Petrovic Z, Djordjevic V. Stomal recurrence after primary total laryngectomy. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci. 2004;29:270-273.,1212 Markou K, Goudakos J, Triaridis S, Konstantinidis J, Vital V, Nikolaou A. The role of tumor size and patient's age as prognostic factors in laryngeal cancer. Hippokratia. 2011;15:75-80.,1919 Yuen AP, Wei WI, Ho WK, Hui Y. Risk factors of tracheostomal recurrence after laryngectomy for laryngeal carcinoma. Am J Surg. 1996;172:263-266. pharyngoperistoma fistula,2020 Markou KD, Vlachtsis KC, Nikolaou AC, Petridis DG, Kouloulas AI, Daniilidis IC. Incidence and predisposing factors of pharyngocutaneous fistula formation after total laryngectomy. Is there a relationship with tumor recurrence?. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2004;261:61-67.,2121 Zbären P, Greiner R, Kengelbacher M. Stoma recurrence after laryngectomy: an analysis of risk factors. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1996;114:569-575. surgical margin,1111 Zhao H, Ren J, Zhuo X, Ye H, Zou J, Liu S. Stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy: a clinicopathological multivariate analysis. Am J Clin Oncol. 2009;32:154-157.,1313 Mantravadi R, Katz AM, Skolnik EM, Becker S, Freehling DJ, Friedman M. Stomal recurrence. A critical analysis of risk factors. Arch Otolaryngol. 1981;107:735-738. and p53 status.2222 Reddy SP, Narayana A, Melian E, Kathuria S, Leman C, Emami B. Stomal recurrence in patients with T1 glottic cancer after salvage laryngectomy for radiotherapy failures: role of p53 overexpression and subglottic extension. Am J Clin Oncol. 2001;24:124-127.

For head and neck surgeons, a better understanding of these risk factors is critical in patient selection and operative planning. Although several factors have been proposed to be associated with SR in more than one study, conflicting results still exist as to their importance. In fact, which high-risk factors are most significant is still under debate. Although two meta-analyses have been published on this topic,2323 Wang ZY, Li ZQ, Ji H, Chen W, Wu KM, Zhu MH, et al. Influence of risk factors on stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy for laryngeal carcinomas: a meta-analysis. J Cancer Res Ther. 2017;13:856-861.,2424 Mei J, Huang Z, Wu K, Zhao Y, Yang J, Liu Y. Risk factors of stomal recurrence after laryngectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2017;126:654-668. we consider that one study included insufficient number of studies,2323 Wang ZY, Li ZQ, Ji H, Chen W, Wu KM, Zhu MH, et al. Influence of risk factors on stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy for laryngeal carcinomas: a meta-analysis. J Cancer Res Ther. 2017;13:856-861. and the other focused on the risk factors in those patients who had TL or/and partial laryngectomy.2424 Mei J, Huang Z, Wu K, Zhao Y, Yang J, Liu Y. Risk factors of stomal recurrence after laryngectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2017;126:654-668. Thus, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis in order to investigate the potential risk factors for SR after TL.

Methods

Search strategy

A systematic search was performed for all English-language literature published from January 1990 to June 2019. The comprehensive search was performed using the electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid, and Cochrane Library. The following keywords were used: laryngeal cancer, total laryngectomy, stomal recurrence, peristomal recurrence, and tracheostomal recurrence. The search strategy was slightly adjusted according to the requirement of different databases. Review studies and bibliographies of other relevant identified investigations were hand-searched to identify additional articles.

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

All clinical studies were required to meet the following criteria for this study: (1) Proven diagnosis of SR (2) The studies had to report at least one of the risk factors for SR (3) Clinical comparative studies of patients with laryngeal cancer who received TL, either alone or associated with neck dissection (4) Either one of the higher quality or the most recent study was included when two studies were published by the same institution or authors. The following articles were excluded: (1) Partial laryngectomy was performed as the surgery treatment; (2) Letters, comments, expert opinions, reviews, or case reports; (3) Measured outcomes were not clearly presented in the literatures or it was impossible to extract the appropriate data from the articles.

Data extraction and quality assessment

Two reviewers reviewed each article independently and abstracted data from the articles in accordance with a standardized form. Disagreements were resolved through discussion, and when it the differences were not resolved, a third person made a final decision. The following data were extracted: the authors, publication years, study design, sample size, SR rate, risk factors (tumor location, tumor differentiation, T stage, LNM, paratracheal LNM, preoperative RT, post-operative RT, preoperative tracheotomy – POT), and pharyngoperistomal fistula. There is no widely accepted quality-assessment metric available for case series. Thus, the quality was evaluated using one of the forms issued by The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. This same quality metric has been used in other similar meta-analysis of observational studies.2525 Ramakrishnan Y, Drinnan M, Kwong FN, Grant DG, Mehanna H, Jaones T, et al. Oncologic outcomes of transoral laser microsurgery for radiorecurrent laryngeal carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis of English-language literature. Head Neck. 2014;36:280-285. For quality, scores ranged from 0 (lowest) to 8 (highest) (Table 1). The result of quality assessment for the included studies was as follow: seven studies scored 6, eight studies scored 5, and three studies scored 4.

Table 1
Quality assessment for cases series.

Statistical analysis

We estimated Risk Ratio (RR) and 95% Confidence Interval (CI) and pooled data from across articles to assess the associations between potential risk factors and SR. Q-tests and I-squared statistics were used to measured statistical heterogeneity between studies. When p-value of Q-test > 0.1 and I 2 < 50%, a fixed effects model was used; otherwise, a random effects model was applied. The sensitivity analysis was performed by sequentially omitting individual study to check the stability of the result. Publication bias was estimated by visually assessing the asymmetry of Begg's funnel plot.2626 Begg CB, Mazumdar M. Operating characteristics of a rank correlation test for publication bias. Biometrics. 1994;50:1088-1101. Finally, Egger's test was used to provide quantitative evidence of publication bias.2727 Egger M, Davey Smith G, Schneider M, Minder C. Bias in meta-analysis detected by a simple, graphical test. BMJ. 1997;315:629-634. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA 12.0 software (Stata Corporation, College Station, Texas, USA) and Microsoft Excel 2010. A p-value < 0.05 indicated a statistically significant difference.

Results

Study selection and characteristics

A total of 449 articles were initially retrieved according to particular keywords, 192 of which were excluded after the initial review of their duplication and language. Approximately a total of 101 studies were excluded after scanning titles and abstracts, leaving 156 articles for full-text assessment. Of these, owing to case reports, reviews, meeting proceedings, conference abstracts and irrelevant studies, 18 studies met the inclusion criteria and finally included in our review.55 Pezier TF, Nixon IJ, Joshi A, Pang L, Guerrero-Urbano T, Oakley R, et al. Pre-operative tracheostomy does not impact on stomal recurrence and overall survival in patients undergoing primary laryngectomy. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2013;270:1729-1735.,77 Santoro R, Franchi A, Tempesti C, Sardi I, Polli G. Stomal recurrence following total laryngectomy: clinical and molecular analysis of a series. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2003;112:594-599.1212 Markou K, Goudakos J, Triaridis S, Konstantinidis J, Vital V, Nikolaou A. The role of tumor size and patient's age as prognostic factors in laryngeal cancer. Hippokratia. 2011;15:75-80.,1515 Rubin J, Johnson JT, Myers EN. Stomal recurrence after laryngectomy: interrelated risk factor study. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1990;103:805-812.,1717 Sartini AL, Fava AS, de Faria PH. Surgical stoma recurrence after total laringectomy. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2007;73:80-86.,1919 Yuen AP, Wei WI, Ho WK, Hui Y. Risk factors of tracheostomal recurrence after laryngectomy for laryngeal carcinoma. Am J Surg. 1996;172:263-266.2222 Reddy SP, Narayana A, Melian E, Kathuria S, Leman C, Emami B. Stomal recurrence in patients with T1 glottic cancer after salvage laryngectomy for radiotherapy failures: role of p53 overexpression and subglottic extension. Am J Clin Oncol. 2001;24:124-127.,2828 Brandstorp-Boesen J, Sørum Falk R, Folkvard Evensen J, Boysen M, Brøndbo K. Risk of recurrence in laryngeal cancer. PLoS One. 2016;11:e0164068.3232 Hosal IN, Onerci M, Turan E. Peristomal recurrence. Am J Otolaryngol. 1993;14:206-208. The flow diagram illustrating the search and selection process is shown in Fig. 1. The characteristics and methodological quality assessment are shown in Table 2. All the articles included were retrospective studies. The total number of patients included was 6462, ranging from 43 to 1616 patients per study. The rate of SR ranged from 0.8% to 31.3%. SR was diagnosed from 52 day to 5 years after TL.99 Petrovic Z, Djordjevic V. Stomal recurrence after primary total laryngectomy. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci. 2004;29:270-273.,1111 Zhao H, Ren J, Zhuo X, Ye H, Zou J, Liu S. Stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy: a clinicopathological multivariate analysis. Am J Clin Oncol. 2009;32:154-157.,2121 Zbären P, Greiner R, Kengelbacher M. Stoma recurrence after laryngectomy: an analysis of risk factors. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1996;114:569-575.,2222 Reddy SP, Narayana A, Melian E, Kathuria S, Leman C, Emami B. Stomal recurrence in patients with T1 glottic cancer after salvage laryngectomy for radiotherapy failures: role of p53 overexpression and subglottic extension. Am J Clin Oncol. 2001;24:124-127.,3030 Yotakis J, Davris S, Kontozoglou T, Adamopoulos G. Evaluation of risk factors for stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci. 1996;21:135-138.,3232 Hosal IN, Onerci M, Turan E. Peristomal recurrence. Am J Otolaryngol. 1993;14:206-208. Four hundred and sixty-seven patients had preoperative RT,88 Imauchi Y, Ito K, Takasago E, Nibu K, Sugasawa M, Ichimura K. Stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2002;126:63-66.,1010 Hassanabadi MS, Shadabi S, Sadr-Hosseini SM, Zarandi MM. Assessment of the recurrence rate of laryngeal cancer in tracheostoma in patients undergoing laryngectomy. J Med Sci. 2007;7:630-634.,1515 Rubin J, Johnson JT, Myers EN. Stomal recurrence after laryngectomy: interrelated risk factor study. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1990;103:805-812.,2121 Zbären P, Greiner R, Kengelbacher M. Stoma recurrence after laryngectomy: an analysis of risk factors. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1996;114:569-575. and 162 patients had post-operative RT.88 Imauchi Y, Ito K, Takasago E, Nibu K, Sugasawa M, Ichimura K. Stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2002;126:63-66.,99 Petrovic Z, Djordjevic V. Stomal recurrence after primary total laryngectomy. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci. 2004;29:270-273.,1515 Rubin J, Johnson JT, Myers EN. Stomal recurrence after laryngectomy: interrelated risk factor study. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1990;103:805-812.,1717 Sartini AL, Fava AS, de Faria PH. Surgical stoma recurrence after total laringectomy. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2007;73:80-86.,2121 Zbären P, Greiner R, Kengelbacher M. Stoma recurrence after laryngectomy: an analysis of risk factors. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1996;114:569-575. Three studies reported that patients were given postoperative chemotherapy,1111 Zhao H, Ren J, Zhuo X, Ye H, Zou J, Liu S. Stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy: a clinicopathological multivariate analysis. Am J Clin Oncol. 2009;32:154-157.,1919 Yuen AP, Wei WI, Ho WK, Hui Y. Risk factors of tracheostomal recurrence after laryngectomy for laryngeal carcinoma. Am J Surg. 1996;172:263-266.,2222 Reddy SP, Narayana A, Melian E, Kathuria S, Leman C, Emami B. Stomal recurrence in patients with T1 glottic cancer after salvage laryngectomy for radiotherapy failures: role of p53 overexpression and subglottic extension. Am J Clin Oncol. 2001;24:124-127. and only one study reported that patients were given preoperative chemotherapy.88 Imauchi Y, Ito K, Takasago E, Nibu K, Sugasawa M, Ichimura K. Stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2002;126:63-66. Among the 18 studies, 3 were conducted in Greece,1212 Markou K, Goudakos J, Triaridis S, Konstantinidis J, Vital V, Nikolaou A. The role of tumor size and patient's age as prognostic factors in laryngeal cancer. Hippokratia. 2011;15:75-80.,2020 Markou KD, Vlachtsis KC, Nikolaou AC, Petridis DG, Kouloulas AI, Daniilidis IC. Incidence and predisposing factors of pharyngocutaneous fistula formation after total laryngectomy. Is there a relationship with tumor recurrence?. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2004;261:61-67.,3030 Yotakis J, Davris S, Kontozoglou T, Adamopoulos G. Evaluation of risk factors for stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci. 1996;21:135-138. 2 in China,1111 Zhao H, Ren J, Zhuo X, Ye H, Zou J, Liu S. Stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy: a clinicopathological multivariate analysis. Am J Clin Oncol. 2009;32:154-157.,1919 Yuen AP, Wei WI, Ho WK, Hui Y. Risk factors of tracheostomal recurrence after laryngectomy for laryngeal carcinoma. Am J Surg. 1996;172:263-266. 2 in the United State,1515 Rubin J, Johnson JT, Myers EN. Stomal recurrence after laryngectomy: interrelated risk factor study. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1990;103:805-812.,2222 Reddy SP, Narayana A, Melian E, Kathuria S, Leman C, Emami B. Stomal recurrence in patients with T1 glottic cancer after salvage laryngectomy for radiotherapy failures: role of p53 overexpression and subglottic extension. Am J Clin Oncol. 2001;24:124-127. 1 in UK,55 Pezier TF, Nixon IJ, Joshi A, Pang L, Guerrero-Urbano T, Oakley R, et al. Pre-operative tracheostomy does not impact on stomal recurrence and overall survival in patients undergoing primary laryngectomy. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2013;270:1729-1735. 1 in South Africa,2929 Fagan JJ, Loock JW. Tracheostomy and peristomal recurrence. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci. 1996;21:328-330. 1 in Brazil,1717 Sartini AL, Fava AS, de Faria PH. Surgical stoma recurrence after total laringectomy. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2007;73:80-86. 1 in Iran,1010 Hassanabadi MS, Shadabi S, Sadr-Hosseini SM, Zarandi MM. Assessment of the recurrence rate of laryngeal cancer in tracheostoma in patients undergoing laryngectomy. J Med Sci. 2007;7:630-634. 1 in Serbia and Montenegro,99 Petrovic Z, Djordjevic V. Stomal recurrence after primary total laryngectomy. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci. 2004;29:270-273. 1 in Norway,2828 Brandstorp-Boesen J, Sørum Falk R, Folkvard Evensen J, Boysen M, Brøndbo K. Risk of recurrence in laryngeal cancer. PLoS One. 2016;11:e0164068. 1 in Switzerland,2121 Zbären P, Greiner R, Kengelbacher M. Stoma recurrence after laryngectomy: an analysis of risk factors. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1996;114:569-575. 1 in Japan,88 Imauchi Y, Ito K, Takasago E, Nibu K, Sugasawa M, Ichimura K. Stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2002;126:63-66. 1 in Italy,77 Santoro R, Franchi A, Tempesti C, Sardi I, Polli G. Stomal recurrence following total laryngectomy: clinical and molecular analysis of a series. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2003;112:594-599. 1 in Turkey,3232 Hosal IN, Onerci M, Turan E. Peristomal recurrence. Am J Otolaryngol. 1993;14:206-208. and 1 in Spain.3131 Esteban F, Moreno JA, Delgado-Rodriguez M, Mochon A. Risk factors involved in stomal recurrence following laryngectomy. J Laryngol Otol. 1993;107:527-531.

Table 2
Main characteristics of studies included.

Figure 1
Flowchart showing the studies identified and evaluated during the review.

Meta-analysis findings

This meta-analysis of combinable data was performed to analyze the risk factors for SR, and the main findings are shown in Table 3. Thirteen studies reported data on tumor subsite,77 Santoro R, Franchi A, Tempesti C, Sardi I, Polli G. Stomal recurrence following total laryngectomy: clinical and molecular analysis of a series. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2003;112:594-599.1212 Markou K, Goudakos J, Triaridis S, Konstantinidis J, Vital V, Nikolaou A. The role of tumor size and patient's age as prognostic factors in laryngeal cancer. Hippokratia. 2011;15:75-80.,1515 Rubin J, Johnson JT, Myers EN. Stomal recurrence after laryngectomy: interrelated risk factor study. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1990;103:805-812.,1717 Sartini AL, Fava AS, de Faria PH. Surgical stoma recurrence after total laringectomy. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2007;73:80-86.,1919 Yuen AP, Wei WI, Ho WK, Hui Y. Risk factors of tracheostomal recurrence after laryngectomy for laryngeal carcinoma. Am J Surg. 1996;172:263-266.,2222 Reddy SP, Narayana A, Melian E, Kathuria S, Leman C, Emami B. Stomal recurrence in patients with T1 glottic cancer after salvage laryngectomy for radiotherapy failures: role of p53 overexpression and subglottic extension. Am J Clin Oncol. 2001;24:124-127.,2828 Brandstorp-Boesen J, Sørum Falk R, Folkvard Evensen J, Boysen M, Brøndbo K. Risk of recurrence in laryngeal cancer. PLoS One. 2016;11:e0164068.,3030 Yotakis J, Davris S, Kontozoglou T, Adamopoulos G. Evaluation of risk factors for stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci. 1996;21:135-138.,3131 Esteban F, Moreno JA, Delgado-Rodriguez M, Mochon A. Risk factors involved in stomal recurrence following laryngectomy. J Laryngol Otol. 1993;107:527-531. two studies reported data on tumor differentiation,1111 Zhao H, Ren J, Zhuo X, Ye H, Zou J, Liu S. Stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy: a clinicopathological multivariate analysis. Am J Clin Oncol. 2009;32:154-157.,1212 Markou K, Goudakos J, Triaridis S, Konstantinidis J, Vital V, Nikolaou A. The role of tumor size and patient's age as prognostic factors in laryngeal cancer. Hippokratia. 2011;15:75-80. nine studies reported data on T stage,88 Imauchi Y, Ito K, Takasago E, Nibu K, Sugasawa M, Ichimura K. Stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2002;126:63-66.,1111 Zhao H, Ren J, Zhuo X, Ye H, Zou J, Liu S. Stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy: a clinicopathological multivariate analysis. Am J Clin Oncol. 2009;32:154-157.,1212 Markou K, Goudakos J, Triaridis S, Konstantinidis J, Vital V, Nikolaou A. The role of tumor size and patient's age as prognostic factors in laryngeal cancer. Hippokratia. 2011;15:75-80.,1515 Rubin J, Johnson JT, Myers EN. Stomal recurrence after laryngectomy: interrelated risk factor study. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1990;103:805-812.,1717 Sartini AL, Fava AS, de Faria PH. Surgical stoma recurrence after total laringectomy. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2007;73:80-86.,1919 Yuen AP, Wei WI, Ho WK, Hui Y. Risk factors of tracheostomal recurrence after laryngectomy for laryngeal carcinoma. Am J Surg. 1996;172:263-266.,2121 Zbären P, Greiner R, Kengelbacher M. Stoma recurrence after laryngectomy: an analysis of risk factors. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1996;114:569-575.,3030 Yotakis J, Davris S, Kontozoglou T, Adamopoulos G. Evaluation of risk factors for stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci. 1996;21:135-138.,3131 Esteban F, Moreno JA, Delgado-Rodriguez M, Mochon A. Risk factors involved in stomal recurrence following laryngectomy. J Laryngol Otol. 1993;107:527-531. eleven studies reported data on LNM,88 Imauchi Y, Ito K, Takasago E, Nibu K, Sugasawa M, Ichimura K. Stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2002;126:63-66.,99 Petrovic Z, Djordjevic V. Stomal recurrence after primary total laryngectomy. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci. 2004;29:270-273.,1111 Zhao H, Ren J, Zhuo X, Ye H, Zou J, Liu S. Stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy: a clinicopathological multivariate analysis. Am J Clin Oncol. 2009;32:154-157.,1212 Markou K, Goudakos J, Triaridis S, Konstantinidis J, Vital V, Nikolaou A. The role of tumor size and patient's age as prognostic factors in laryngeal cancer. Hippokratia. 2011;15:75-80.,1515 Rubin J, Johnson JT, Myers EN. Stomal recurrence after laryngectomy: interrelated risk factor study. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1990;103:805-812.,1717 Sartini AL, Fava AS, de Faria PH. Surgical stoma recurrence after total laringectomy. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2007;73:80-86.,1919 Yuen AP, Wei WI, Ho WK, Hui Y. Risk factors of tracheostomal recurrence after laryngectomy for laryngeal carcinoma. Am J Surg. 1996;172:263-266.,2121 Zbären P, Greiner R, Kengelbacher M. Stoma recurrence after laryngectomy: an analysis of risk factors. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1996;114:569-575.,2222 Reddy SP, Narayana A, Melian E, Kathuria S, Leman C, Emami B. Stomal recurrence in patients with T1 glottic cancer after salvage laryngectomy for radiotherapy failures: role of p53 overexpression and subglottic extension. Am J Clin Oncol. 2001;24:124-127.,3030 Yotakis J, Davris S, Kontozoglou T, Adamopoulos G. Evaluation of risk factors for stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci. 1996;21:135-138.,3131 Esteban F, Moreno JA, Delgado-Rodriguez M, Mochon A. Risk factors involved in stomal recurrence following laryngectomy. J Laryngol Otol. 1993;107:527-531. two studies reported data on paratracheal LNM,88 Imauchi Y, Ito K, Takasago E, Nibu K, Sugasawa M, Ichimura K. Stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2002;126:63-66.,99 Petrovic Z, Djordjevic V. Stomal recurrence after primary total laryngectomy. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci. 2004;29:270-273. four studies reported data on preoperative RT,88 Imauchi Y, Ito K, Takasago E, Nibu K, Sugasawa M, Ichimura K. Stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2002;126:63-66.1010 Hassanabadi MS, Shadabi S, Sadr-Hosseini SM, Zarandi MM. Assessment of the recurrence rate of laryngeal cancer in tracheostoma in patients undergoing laryngectomy. J Med Sci. 2007;7:630-634.,1515 Rubin J, Johnson JT, Myers EN. Stomal recurrence after laryngectomy: interrelated risk factor study. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1990;103:805-812. five studies reported data on post-operative RT,88 Imauchi Y, Ito K, Takasago E, Nibu K, Sugasawa M, Ichimura K. Stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2002;126:63-66.,99 Petrovic Z, Djordjevic V. Stomal recurrence after primary total laryngectomy. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci. 2004;29:270-273.,1515 Rubin J, Johnson JT, Myers EN. Stomal recurrence after laryngectomy: interrelated risk factor study. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1990;103:805-812.,1717 Sartini AL, Fava AS, de Faria PH. Surgical stoma recurrence after total laringectomy. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2007;73:80-86.,2121 Zbären P, Greiner R, Kengelbacher M. Stoma recurrence after laryngectomy: an analysis of risk factors. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1996;114:569-575. thirteen studies reported data on POT,55 Pezier TF, Nixon IJ, Joshi A, Pang L, Guerrero-Urbano T, Oakley R, et al. Pre-operative tracheostomy does not impact on stomal recurrence and overall survival in patients undergoing primary laryngectomy. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2013;270:1729-1735.,77 Santoro R, Franchi A, Tempesti C, Sardi I, Polli G. Stomal recurrence following total laryngectomy: clinical and molecular analysis of a series. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2003;112:594-599.99 Petrovic Z, Djordjevic V. Stomal recurrence after primary total laryngectomy. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci. 2004;29:270-273.,1111 Zhao H, Ren J, Zhuo X, Ye H, Zou J, Liu S. Stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy: a clinicopathological multivariate analysis. Am J Clin Oncol. 2009;32:154-157.,1515 Rubin J, Johnson JT, Myers EN. Stomal recurrence after laryngectomy: interrelated risk factor study. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1990;103:805-812.,1717 Sartini AL, Fava AS, de Faria PH. Surgical stoma recurrence after total laringectomy. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2007;73:80-86.,2121 Zbären P, Greiner R, Kengelbacher M. Stoma recurrence after laryngectomy: an analysis of risk factors. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1996;114:569-575.,2222 Reddy SP, Narayana A, Melian E, Kathuria S, Leman C, Emami B. Stomal recurrence in patients with T1 glottic cancer after salvage laryngectomy for radiotherapy failures: role of p53 overexpression and subglottic extension. Am J Clin Oncol. 2001;24:124-127.,2929 Fagan JJ, Loock JW. Tracheostomy and peristomal recurrence. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci. 1996;21:328-330.3232 Hosal IN, Onerci M, Turan E. Peristomal recurrence. Am J Otolaryngol. 1993;14:206-208. and two studies reported data on pharyngoperistomal fistula.2020 Markou KD, Vlachtsis KC, Nikolaou AC, Petridis DG, Kouloulas AI, Daniilidis IC. Incidence and predisposing factors of pharyngocutaneous fistula formation after total laryngectomy. Is there a relationship with tumor recurrence?. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2004;261:61-67.,2121 Zbären P, Greiner R, Kengelbacher M. Stoma recurrence after laryngectomy: an analysis of risk factors. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1996;114:569-575. When the data were pooled, respectively, tumor subsite (p = 0.001, p = 0.002) (Figs. 2 and 3), T stage (p = 0.001) (Fig. 4), POT (p < 0.001) (Fig. 5) were identified as the risk factors for SR. Specifically, the pooled RRs (95% CIs) were as follows: 0.292 (0.142, 0.600) for tumor subsite (supraglottic vs. subglottic), 0.344 (0.175, 0.676) for tumor subsite (glottic vs. subglottic), 0.461 (0.286, 0.742) for T stage, 1.959 (1.500, 2.558) for POT.

Table 3
Statistical results of risk factors for SR after TL.

Figure 2
Forrest plot of risk ratio for tumor location (supraglottic vs. subglottic).

Figure 3
Forrest plot of risk ratio for tumor location (glottis vs. subglottic).

Figure 4
Forrest plot of risk ratio for T stage.

Figure 5
Forrest plot of risk ratio for POT.

Sensitivity analysis and publication bias

A single article included in our meta-analysis was deleted each time to reflect the influence of the individual data set to the pooled RR, and the corresponding pooled RR was not materially altered. Begg's funnel plot and Egger's test were performed to access the publication bias of literatures. The shape of the funnel plot did not show any evidence of obvious asymmetry (Fig. 6). In addition, the Egger's test was performed to provide statistical evidence of funnel plot symmetry. Similarly, the outcomes did not reveal any evidence of publication bias (Fig. 7).

Figure 6
Begg's funnel for the visual assessment of overt publication bias for POT.

Figure 7
Egger's publication bias plot showed no publication bias for POT.

Discussion

Tumor recurrence at the tracheal stomal following TL for laryngeal cancer is a well-recognized phenomenon. Patients with recurrence are commonly diagnosed within the first year after TL but cases have been described to present at 3.5 years.3333 Kowalski LP, Rinaldo A, Robbins KT, Pellitteri PK, Shaha AR, Weber RS, et al. Stomal recurrence: pathophysiology, treatment and prevention. Acta Otolaryngol. 2003;123:421-432. In previous studies, the occurrence of SR is highly variable. Kowalski et al. proposed it may be explained by the differences in the diagnostic criteria used by each author.3333 Kowalski LP, Rinaldo A, Robbins KT, Pellitteri PK, Shaha AR, Weber RS, et al. Stomal recurrence: pathophysiology, treatment and prevention. Acta Otolaryngol. 2003;123:421-432. Our results showed that SR rate ranged from 0.8% to 31.3%. We assumed the reason might be the heterogeneity in surgical technique in different periods. Despite refinement of multimodal treatment over the last 20 years, the 5 year survival rate of 40% has remained static since the mid-1980s.3434 Parkin DM, Bray F, Ferlay J, Pisani P. Estimating the world cancer burden: Globocan 2000. Int J Cancer. 2001;94:153-156. Some studies reported that SR was associated with 90% mortality, and more than 80% patients died in the first two years.1010 Hassanabadi MS, Shadabi S, Sadr-Hosseini SM, Zarandi MM. Assessment of the recurrence rate of laryngeal cancer in tracheostoma in patients undergoing laryngectomy. J Med Sci. 2007;7:630-634. In our study, only six studies evaluated patients’ prognosis,88 Imauchi Y, Ito K, Takasago E, Nibu K, Sugasawa M, Ichimura K. Stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2002;126:63-66.,1010 Hassanabadi MS, Shadabi S, Sadr-Hosseini SM, Zarandi MM. Assessment of the recurrence rate of laryngeal cancer in tracheostoma in patients undergoing laryngectomy. J Med Sci. 2007;7:630-634.,1111 Zhao H, Ren J, Zhuo X, Ye H, Zou J, Liu S. Stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy: a clinicopathological multivariate analysis. Am J Clin Oncol. 2009;32:154-157.,1515 Rubin J, Johnson JT, Myers EN. Stomal recurrence after laryngectomy: interrelated risk factor study. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1990;103:805-812.,1919 Yuen AP, Wei WI, Ho WK, Hui Y. Risk factors of tracheostomal recurrence after laryngectomy for laryngeal carcinoma. Am J Surg. 1996;172:263-266.,2222 Reddy SP, Narayana A, Melian E, Kathuria S, Leman C, Emami B. Stomal recurrence in patients with T1 glottic cancer after salvage laryngectomy for radiotherapy failures: role of p53 overexpression and subglottic extension. Am J Clin Oncol. 2001;24:124-127. and the mortality rate was from 77.8% to 100%. Most of patients died from the progression of the disease. Prognosis for these patients is dismal, despite the development of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation for treatment of SR. In an attempt to establish a more adequate prognosis for these patients, Sisson et al. proposed a classification system for recurrence.3535 Sisson GA, Bytell DE, Becker SP. Mediastinal dissection indications and newer techniques. Laryngoscope. 1977;87:751-759. This classification is anatomically based and gives consideration to the site of recurrence but not necessarily its tumor origin or etiology. Patients with types I and II have a median survival of 10 months with 37.5% 1 year survival and 25% 2 year survival. Patients with types I and II have a median survival of 6 months with 40% 1 year survival and 0% 2 year survival. Since current treatment of SR is not ideal, much more attention should be directed to identifying the risk factors to minimize the chance of SR. Despite a large number of articles having been investigated, it is still under debate.

In laryngeal cancer, there is general agreement on the role of subglottic involvement in the development of SR. The occurrence in the range of 38%–44% has been reported in previous studies.3636 León X, Quer M, Burgués J, Abelló P, Vega M, de Andrés L. Prevention of stomal recurrence. Head Neck. 1996;18:54-59. Due to submucosal expansion of tumors, subglottic cancers have a trend to rapid paratracheal tissue involvement. The cricoid cartilage area in subglottic extensions has an extensive blood supply, allowing tumor cells a higher chance of paratracheal direct spreading to infiltrate the thyroid gland and the perilaryngeal soft tissue.1111 Zhao H, Ren J, Zhuo X, Ye H, Zou J, Liu S. Stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy: a clinicopathological multivariate analysis. Am J Clin Oncol. 2009;32:154-157.,1515 Rubin J, Johnson JT, Myers EN. Stomal recurrence after laryngectomy: interrelated risk factor study. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1990;103:805-812.,2121 Zbären P, Greiner R, Kengelbacher M. Stoma recurrence after laryngectomy: an analysis of risk factors. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1996;114:569-575. We found the subglottic region involvement presented a statistical significant trend when compared with supraglottic and glottic tumors. Our result was consistent with previous reports. In addition, patients with subglottic and transglottic involvement presented similar incidence of SR (20.1% vs. 15.3%), and we did not found a significant difference between them.

Some authors considered that tumor size was a significant factor, and it was associated with unfavorable disease free survival.1212 Markou K, Goudakos J, Triaridis S, Konstantinidis J, Vital V, Nikolaou A. The role of tumor size and patient's age as prognostic factors in laryngeal cancer. Hippokratia. 2011;15:75-80.,3737 Gallo O, Sarno A, Baroncelli R, Bruschini L, Boddi V. Multivariate analysis of prognostic factors in T3 N0 laryngeal carcinoma treated with total laryngectomy. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2003;128:654-662. They proposed the possibility that the development of SR increased with tumor size.3838 Bonneau RA, Lehman RH. Stomal recurrence following laryngectomy. Arch Otolaryngol. 1975;101:408-412. Patients with T4 stage were significantly more likely to have SR than those with smaller lesions (T 1–3).1515 Rubin J, Johnson JT, Myers EN. Stomal recurrence after laryngectomy: interrelated risk factor study. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1990;103:805-812. Markou et al. also found large T3 tumor (>4 cm) or small T4 tumor (<2 cm) might have higher SR rate.1212 Markou K, Goudakos J, Triaridis S, Konstantinidis J, Vital V, Nikolaou A. The role of tumor size and patient's age as prognostic factors in laryngeal cancer. Hippokratia. 2011;15:75-80. Although several authors have reported tumor size contributed to SR, others do not demonstrate any effect.99 Petrovic Z, Djordjevic V. Stomal recurrence after primary total laryngectomy. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci. 2004;29:270-273.,3131 Esteban F, Moreno JA, Delgado-Rodriguez M, Mochon A. Risk factors involved in stomal recurrence following laryngectomy. J Laryngol Otol. 1993;107:527-531.,3939 Keim WF, Shapiro MJ, Rosin HD. Study of postlaryngectomy stomal recurrence. Arch Otolaryngol. 1965;81:183-186. Keim et al. reported that no significant correlation in patients with small, intermediate and large cancers.3030 Yotakis J, Davris S, Kontozoglou T, Adamopoulos G. Evaluation of risk factors for stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci. 1996;21:135-138.,3939 Keim WF, Shapiro MJ, Rosin HD. Study of postlaryngectomy stomal recurrence. Arch Otolaryngol. 1965;81:183-186. Petrovic et al. identified there was no significant difference between patients with T3 and T4 tumors.99 Petrovic Z, Djordjevic V. Stomal recurrence after primary total laryngectomy. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci. 2004;29:270-273. Our results revealed the SR rate in T 1–2 stage and T 3–4 stage was 3.0% and 11.6%, respectively. The patients with higher tumor stage (T 3–4) had significantly higher rate of SR.

At present, nodal status is well established to be an important prognosticator when tumor is located in the larynx.55 Pezier TF, Nixon IJ, Joshi A, Pang L, Guerrero-Urbano T, Oakley R, et al. Pre-operative tracheostomy does not impact on stomal recurrence and overall survival in patients undergoing primary laryngectomy. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2013;270:1729-1735.,99 Petrovic Z, Djordjevic V. Stomal recurrence after primary total laryngectomy. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci. 2004;29:270-273. The lymphatic drainage of the larynx has been studied for many years. It is widely acknowledged that the high-risk lymph nodes are often pretracheal and paratracheal lymph node chains. They are rarely palpable and do not initially lead to hoarseness and pain, many patients thus do not have any treatment until the diseases reach an advanced stage, with symptoms of airway obstruction.4040 Shaha AR, Shah JP. Carcinoma of the subglottic larynx. Am J Surg. 1982;144:456-458. Many authors proposed that those LNMs should be regarded as an influential factor for SR.88 Imauchi Y, Ito K, Takasago E, Nibu K, Sugasawa M, Ichimura K. Stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2002;126:63-66.,99 Petrovic Z, Djordjevic V. Stomal recurrence after primary total laryngectomy. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci. 2004;29:270-273.,4141 Weber RS, Marvel J, Smith P, Hankins P, Wolf P, Goepfert H. Paracheal lymph node dissection for carcinoma of the larynx, hypopharynx, and cervical esophagus. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1993;108:11-17. This, in turn, seems to influence the incidence of emergency tracheotomy. That is to say, those patients who need POT have higher rates of occult paratracheal LNMs. Considering the pattern of lymphatic metastasis, clearance of the pretracheal and paratracheal lymph nodes should be done to prevent SR. In our study, 1545 patients with N0 disease had 105 recurrences (6.8%), while 1009 patients with N + disease had 110 recurrences (10.9%). However, it was not statistically significant. Simultaneously, we found paratracheal LNM rate was higher in patients with SR (17.5% vs. 8.4%), but a significant correlation between them was not observed.

Emergency tracheostomy prior to laryngectomy has been associated with an increased incidence of SR.88 Imauchi Y, Ito K, Takasago E, Nibu K, Sugasawa M, Ichimura K. Stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2002;126:63-66.,3131 Esteban F, Moreno JA, Delgado-Rodriguez M, Mochon A. Risk factors involved in stomal recurrence following laryngectomy. J Laryngol Otol. 1993;107:527-531. The rate of SR in patients who had POT ranged from 8% to 41% in previous studies.4242 Breneman JC, Bradshaw A, Gluckman J, Aron BS. Prevention of stomal recurrence in patients requiring emergency tracheotomy for advanced laryngeal and pharyngeal tumors. Cancer. 1988;62:802-805. According to the tumor cell implantation hypothesis, dislodged cancer cells have chance to implant in the tissue of the trachea wound.1616 Halfpenny W, McGurk M. Stomal recurrence following temporary tracheostomy. J Larngol Otol. 2001;115:202-204.,4343 Esteller E, Agüero A, Martel M, López M, Quer M, León X. Stomal recurrence in head and neck cancer patients with temporary tracheostomy. Auris Nasus Larynx. 2014;41:467-470. In contrast, some authors have not observed any correlation.1313 Mantravadi R, Katz AM, Skolnik EM, Becker S, Freehling DJ, Friedman M. Stomal recurrence. A critical analysis of risk factors. Arch Otolaryngol. 1981;107:735-738.,4444 Modlin B, Ogura JH. Post-laryngectomy tracheal stomal recurrence. Laryngoscope. 1969;79:239-250. They considered this mechanical implantation of tumor cells was less likely, because sufficient margin could be obtained in a properly performed wide field TL, as performed in most hospitals.88 Imauchi Y, Ito K, Takasago E, Nibu K, Sugasawa M, Ichimura K. Stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2002;126:63-66. Thus, some attention has focused on the other mechanisms, such as the paratracheal LNM, the presence of Delphian lymph node, and the spread of tumor cells throughout the paratracheal tissue and thyroid gland. For example, Rockley et al. found patients who performed POT had more advanced disease and may have a high rate of occult paratracheal LNM, and this increased the risk of SR.1414 Rockley TJ, Powell J, Robin PE, Reid AP. Post-laryngectomy stomal recurrence: tumour implantation or paratracheal lymphatic metastasis?. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci. 1991;16:43-47. Due to inflammation and fibrosis of tissues around the anastomosis caused by POT, it is difficult to perform the paratracheal lymph node dissection in the clinical practice. Therefore, this also might explain the reason that patients who underwent POT have a higher SR rate. Our results supported that there was a strong correlation between POT and SR.

For the treatment of SR, RT is often used. Some investigations have showed the usefulness of preoperative RT, including the tracheal stoma and the superior mediastinum in the irradiation field.4545 Tong D, Moss WT, Stevens KR. Elective irradiation of the lower cervical region in patients at risk for recurrent cancer at the tracheal stoma. Radiology. 1997;124:809-811. In addition, several authors found the incidence of SR was significantly lower in the patients who had post-operative RT, and they proposed post-operative RT might have an advantage in preventing recurrence.99 Petrovic Z, Djordjevic V. Stomal recurrence after primary total laryngectomy. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci. 2004;29:270-273.,4646 Mirimanoff RO, Wang CC, Doppke KP. Combined surgery and postoperative radiation therapy for advanced laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinomas. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 1985;11:499-504.,4747 Barr GD, Robertson AG, Liu KC. Stomal recurrence: a separate entity?. J Surg Oncol. 1990;44:176-179. Sartini et al. suggested post-operative RT should be performed when the surgical margins were compromised and minimal, and LNM was demonstrated.1717 Sartini AL, Fava AS, de Faria PH. Surgical stoma recurrence after total laringectomy. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2007;73:80-86. However, the results of our study look controversial: the lack of association between SR and preoperative and post-operative RT. We look forward to obtaining more information from large sample studies for a better comprehension and authentication accuracy in the near future.

The results of this study should be interpreted with caution because of some limitations. First, the retrospective nature of the studies included is clearly a limitation, and these studies are also not the highest-quality evidence, and it might lead to less powerful findings. Second, most of these studies were conducted in European and Asian countries, which may not reflect the real situation. In addition, publication is a major concern for all forms of meta-analysis, and positive findings tend to be accepted by journals, while negative results are often rejected or not even submitted. Although this study does not support publication bias, it should be noted that it could not completely exclude biases. For example, this study was restricted to English-only articles, which probably led to language or cultural bias. However, some authors in their studies suggest that excluding trials published in languages other than English has generally little effect on effect estimates.4848 Jüni P, Holenstein F, Sterne J, Bartlett C, Egger M. Direction and impact of language bias in meta-analyses of controlled trials: empirical study. Int J Epidemiol. 2002;31:115-123. Although two meta-analyses have been published on this topic,4747 Barr GD, Robertson AG, Liu KC. Stomal recurrence: a separate entity?. J Surg Oncol. 1990;44:176-179.,4848 Jüni P, Holenstein F, Sterne J, Bartlett C, Egger M. Direction and impact of language bias in meta-analyses of controlled trials: empirical study. Int J Epidemiol. 2002;31:115-123. this study is different from them. We considered that one study included insufficient number of studies,4747 Barr GD, Robertson AG, Liu KC. Stomal recurrence: a separate entity?. J Surg Oncol. 1990;44:176-179. and the other focused on the risk factors in those patients who had TL or/and partial laryngectomy.4848 Jüni P, Holenstein F, Sterne J, Bartlett C, Egger M. Direction and impact of language bias in meta-analyses of controlled trials: empirical study. Int J Epidemiol. 2002;31:115-123. Further research is needed to determine the impact of language restriction.

Conclusions

In summary, SR after TL continues to be a difficult problem for head and neck surgeons. When SR is present, the prognosis is poor. The etiology of SR after TL is multi-factorial, and identifying high-risk factors is imperative. Our results showed that tumor subsite, T stage, POT were the risk factors associated with higher incidences of SR. This study should be further updated whenever new and strong evidence is available.

  • Please cite this article as: Liang J, Zhu X, Zeng W, Yu T, Fang F, Zhao Y. Which risk factors are associated with stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy for laryngeal cancer? A meta-analysis of the last 30 years. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2020;86:502–12.
  • Funding
    This work was supported by the Baiqianwan Talent Project (Type C, No. 6) and the Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province (No. 20180530038).

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    28 Aug 2020
  • Date of issue
    Jul-Aug 2020

History

  • Received
    8 Nov 2019
  • Accepted
    8 Mar 2020
Associação Brasileira de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia Cérvico-Facial. Sede da Associação Brasileira de Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia Cérvico Facial, Av. Indianópolia, 1287, 04063-002 São Paulo/SP Brasil, Tel.: (0xx11) 5053-7500, Fax: (0xx11) 5053-7512 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
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