From 1976 to 1986, 106 patients with early glottic carcinoma were managed endoscopically at our institution. Twenty-four (23%) patients required retreatment of the larynx for local recurrences or new primary lesions after initial endoscopic management. The probability of remaining free of local recurrence 3 years after primary surgery was estimated to be 0.87 and, after 5 years, it was 0.81. Of the 24 patients who required re-treatment of their larynx, 10 did so beyond 3 years, indicating a new second primary. In 1 patient who required retreatment within 3 years, a new primary developed on the opposite cord. Therefore, true local recurrences developed in 13 patients (12.3%); 3 of these patients (2.8%) ultimately required laryngectomy and 3 are dead (2.8%) with disease.