Larynx and airway: vertical hemilaryngectomy: practice question

A ENT question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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ENT · Larynx and airway: vertical hemilaryngectomy

Sample item

Which tumour is best suited to a vertical partial laryngectomy?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Glottic carcinoma confined to one cord with limited anterior commissure involvement

Vertical hemilaryngectomy removes one side of the larynx including the cord and is used for unilateral glottic tumours with mobile cords. Bilateral disease, cricoid invasion or fixation usually need total laryngectomy. It preserves voice, though with a hoarse quality.

Option by option

  • A. Glottic carcinoma confined to one cord with limited anterior commissure involvement (correct)

    Correct. Limited unilateral glottic tumours are suitable.

  • B. Carcinoma with cricoid cartilage invasion

    Cricoid invasion is a contraindication.

  • C. Bilateral transglottic carcinoma with cord fixation

    Bilateral fixed disease needs total laryngectomy.

  • D. Hypopharyngeal carcinoma

    Hypopharyngeal tumours need a different operation.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More ENT questions

Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is A, Glottic carcinoma confined to one cord with limited anterior commissure involvement. Vertical hemilaryngectomy removes one side of the larynx including the cord and is used for unilateral glottic tumours with mobile cords.

Why is "Carcinoma with cricoid cartilage invasion" not the answer?

Cricoid invasion is a contraindication.

Why is "Bilateral transglottic carcinoma with cord fixation" not the answer?

Bilateral fixed disease needs total laryngectomy.

Why is "Hypopharyngeal carcinoma" not the answer?

Hypopharyngeal tumours need a different operation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Larynx and airway: vertical hemilaryngectomy in ENT. Bilateral disease, cricoid invasion or fixation usually need total laryngectomy. It preserves voice, though with a hoarse quality.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Larynx and airway: vertical hemilaryngectomy?

Learn tuning fork results and audiogram patterns by sketching them. Then use the flashcards and the other ENT questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.