A 71-year-old male was treated for suspected bronchial asthma because of dyspnea and stridor for 3 months before presenting at our hospital. Chest computed tomogram and a laryngotracheoscopy revealed a mass occupying the subglottic cavity. Instead of a laryngotracheal resection, the tumor was extirpated from the posterior wall of the subglottis and the first two tracheal rings successfully through a vertical tracheotomy just above the life-saving trachestomy tube, and was diagnosed as pleomorphic adenoma. The patient is alive and well with no recurrent tumor 12 years after surgery, without any effect on the function of the voice or swallowing.