Rehabilitation of the larynx after total laryngectomy using an aortic graft

Placement of a Laryngeal Allograft Aortic Implant After Total Laryngectomy to Rehabilitate Laryngeal Function

Not applicable Interventional University Hospital, Strasbourg, France · NCT04650919

This study is testing if using a special graft made from aorta tissue can help people who have had their larynx removed due to cancer breathe and swallow better after surgery.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment4 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity Hospital, Strasbourg, France Academic / other
Locations1 site (Strasbourg)
Trial IDNCT04650919 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial focuses on patients undergoing total laryngectomy due to advanced laryngeal cancer. It aims to evaluate the use of a stented aortic allograft for reconstructing the larynx, which may help restore a common passage for respiration and swallowing. The study involves surgical intervention and the use of human tissue to improve post-operative quality of life. The trial seeks to address the significant challenges faced by patients after laryngectomy, particularly the need for a tracheostoma.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients with laryngeal cancer requiring total laryngectomy who can provide informed consent and understand the study's objectives.

Not a fit: Patients with contraindications to general anesthesia or those with extensive tumor spread may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve the quality of life for patients by restoring normal respiratory and swallowing functions.

How similar studies have performed: While there have been efforts to restore phonatory function post-laryngectomy, this specific approach using an aortic graft is novel and has not been widely tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patient with carcinomatous pathology of the upper airways requiring total laryngectomy
* Patient affiliated to a social health insurance scheme (beneficiary or beneficiary's successor)
* Patient speaks and reads French, understands the objectives and risks of the research and is able to provide dated and signed informed consent.
* Patient having been informed of the results of the prior medical examination
* For a woman with the ability to procreate: negative blood pregnancy test (verified during preoperative blood work) and effective contraception throughout the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patient with a contraindication to general anaesthesia and/or iodinated contrast agents
* Breastfeeding woman
* Patient with a WHO performance index of grade strictly greater than 2 at the inclusion visit
* Patient with subglottic or basi-lingual tumour extension greater than 1 cm (by endoscopic control and CT scan)
* Patient having undergone cervico-facial radiotherapy prior to surgical management
* Patient suffering from severe coagulation disorders (checked during the blood test performed as part of the standard care to make the diagnosis of cancer)
* Patient with a history of allergy to DMSO, DHEA, clindamycin, gentamicin, vancomycin used for graft treatment and preservation
* Inability to give informed information about the patient (patient in emergency situations, difficulties in understanding the patient)
* Patient in exclusion period (determined by a previous or ongoing study)
* Patient under safeguard of justice
* Patient under guardianship,curatorship, family guardianship
* Any situation considered by the operating physician as falling under a non-inclusion criterion
* Patient suffering from a decompensated psychiatric pathology or at risk of decompensation, which may interfere with the follow-up modalities in the research setting.

Where this trial is running

Strasbourg

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Laryngeal CancerTotal Laryngectomylaryngectomy
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.