For a resectabe T3, T4 laryngeal or pharyngeal carcinoma, there has been a tendency to perform an aggressive resection of the organs, the larynx and/or pharynx, instead of mere ablation of the tumor. In the past decade, near-total operation had been proven to be suitable for T3 and T4 laryngopharyngeal cancer patients if the contralateral hemilarynx, the pyriform sinus, the interarytenoid area and the midpostcricoid region are free of tumor invasion. This report described the principles and the results of near-total operation in 22 cases of laryngeal or pharyngeal carcinoma. Special emphasis was laid on the technique and the outcome of near-total laryngopharyngectomy with pectoralis major myocutaneous flap in four patients with advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma. Postoperatively, all four patients were able to make fluent shunt speech and to swallow a regular diet.