The data on 356 laryngectomies during a 12-year period were analysed retrospectively. The operations were divided into three groups: group I, laryngectomy alone; group II, laryngectomy and secondary neck dissection; group III, one-stage laryngectomy and radical neck dissection. Most patients had advanced disease (stage III and IV: 54.5% and 23.9%, respectively). Supraglottic and glotto-supraglottic tumours were commonest (39.6% and 36.8%, respectively). The results of palpation, fine-needle biopsy and histology of the lymph nodes are compared. The mean survival time for the three groups was 53.4, 42.7 and 29.8 months, respectively, and the 5-year survival rates were 61.9%, 32.0% and 30.8%, respectively.