It is surgery to remove all or part of the larynx.

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Laryngectomy is major surgery that is done in the hospital. Before surgery, you will receive general anesthesia. You will be asleep and will not feel pain.

In a total laryngectomy, the entire larynx is removed. Part of the pharynx can also be removed. The pharynx is the mucous-lined tube between the nasal passages and the esophagus.

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• The surgeon will make a cut in your neck to open the area. It is done carefully to preserve important blood vessels and other important structures.

• The larynx and surrounding tissues will be removed. Lymph nodes can also be removed.

• The surgeon will make an opening in the windpipe and a hole in the front of the neck. The windpipe will connect to this hole. This hole is called a stoma. After surgery, you will breathe through the stoma, which will never be removed.

• The esophagus, muscles, and skin will be closed with stitches or staples. You may have catheters coming from the wound for some time after surgery.