Patch Reconstruction with Radial Forearm Free Flap of Hypopharyngeal Cancer Using the Narrow Strip Pharynageal Wall

PURPOSE: Various attempts of reconstruction for pharyngoesophageal defects after ablative surgery have been made to restore the function of the pharyngoesophagus. A fabricated tubed radial forearm free flap or free jejunal free flap was used when the width of remnant pharyngeal wall was less than 50% of the normal width. However there are many disadvantages such as stricture, saliva leakage and fistula formation on tubed radial forearm free flap. The jejunal free flap has the problem such as short pedicle, poor tolerance of ischemic time, wet voice and delayed transit of swallowed food due to the uncoordinated contraction. The authors studied the utility of patch-type radial forearm free flap using the remnant posterior pharyngeal wall of the hypopharynx. METHODS: Retrospective reviews in Severance Hospital were made on 25 patients who underwent reconstruction surgery with patched radial forearm free flap because of the hypopharyngeal cancer between 1996 and 2005. The patients of Group I had the narrow posterior pharyngeal wall and its width was less than 3centimeters after the tumor was resected. Those of Group II had the partial pharyngectomy and the width of the remnant pharynx was larger than 3centimeters. RESULTS: Seven patients belonged to the group I and the flap of this group had 100% survival rate. One case of fistula and no swallowing discomfort due to stricture was reported. The Group II including 18 patients also had the 100% flap survival rate. Neither fistula nor stricture was seen but the lower diet grade was checked. CONCLUSION: The patch type radial forearm free flap using the remnant pharyngeal wall have the advantage of the radial forearm free flap, and furthermore this flap is the safe reconstructive method even if the width of the remnant pharyngeal wall is less than 30% of that of normal pharynx.

Reconstrução faringoesofágica com retalho livre de jejuno após faringolaringoesofagectomia cervical / Pharyngoesophageal reconstruction using free jejunal flap following neck pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy

OBJETIVO: Os autores apresentam os resultados de reconstruções esofágicas com retalho microcirúrgico de jejuno obtidos no Instituto Nacional de Câncer entre dezembro de 1998 e março de 2001, ressaltando suas vantagens, desvantagens e suas complicações. MÉTODO: Foram estudados sete pacientes portadores de neoplasias avançadas de laringe, faringe ou da tireóide que foram submetidos no Instituto Nacional de Câncer (Rio de Janeiro-Brasil) à reconstrução esofágica cervical com interposição de retalho livre de jejuno após faringolaringectomia associada à esofagectomia cervical. Foram cinco homens e duas mulheres com uma média de idade de 54 anos (39-66). Três pacientes foram submetidos à reconstrução esofágica imediata e em quatro casos a reconstrução foi tardia, em média após 10,5 meses. RESULTADOS: Não existiram perdas do retalho ou mortes no período pós-operatório avaliado. Das complicações, a mais freqüente foi infecção de ferida operatória (57,1 por cento). Fístulas salivares acometeram dois casos (28,5 por cento) e necessitaram de tratamento cirúrgico. Outras complicações incluíram estenose (14,1 por cento) e hipopafatireoidismo (28,5 por cento). Não houve complicações abdominais. Quatro dos sete casos apresentaram recidiva da doença em um período médio de 16,6 meses. Cinco pacientes reconquistaram uma satisfatória capacidade de deglutição após o procedimento. CONCLUSÃO: A experiência apresentada sugere que o retalho livre de jejuno consiste em um procedimento seguro, com elevados índices de sucesso para reabilitação da via digestiva e com baixos índices de complicações se comparado a outros métodos.

OBJECTIVE: The present study describes the results at the Instituto Nacional de Câncer (Rio de Janeiro-BRAZIL) in reconstruction of cervical esophagus using jejunal interpositional flap. Advantages, disadvantages and possible complications are discussed. METHOD: Seven patients with Iocally advanced carcinoma of the Iarynx and thyroid underwent pharyngoesophageal reconstruction using free jejunal interpositional flap after pharyngolaryngectomy-esophagectomy from december/1 998 through march/2001 at Instituto Nacional de Cancer. There were five men and two women with mean age of 54,1 years old (39-66 years). Three patients underwent immediate esophageal reconstruction. In four cases, the reconstructions were performed under delayed basis (in mean, after 10,5 months). RESULTS: There were no flap failures or perioperative deaths. The most frequent complication was wound infection (57,1 percent). Salivary fistula occured in two cases (28,5 percent) and required secundary revision. Other complications were stenosis (14,1 percent) and hypoparathyroidism (28,5 percent).There were no abdominal complications. Four out of seven patients presented recurrent disease in a mean time of 8,5 months (3-13 months). Five patients (71 percent) acquired a satisfactory swallow function after surgery. CONCLUSION: The cases here presented, suggest that free jejunal flap is a safe procedure with high success rates for high digestive tract reabilitation, with few complications.

Reconstruction of Defects in the Head and Neck Using Pedicled or Free Flaps: A Review of 112 Cases / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND: Despite recent advances in radiation therapy and chemotherapy, surgical procedures remain the primary modality of head and neck cancer therapy. Adequate surgical resection frequently requires the removal of significant amounts of tissue. In addition to the prolongation of life, the restoration of a functional aerodigestive tract is the primary concern of the reconstructive surgeon. OBJECTIVE: With the above in mind, we have evaluated our experience with head and neck reconstruction using various flaps. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of 95 patients who underwent 112 reconstructive surgeries in the head and neck area from 1983 to 1996 in Seoul National University Hospital were reviewed. Results were evaluated with emphasis on the functional aspect and postoperative course. RESULTS: Successful transfer using PMMC flaps were achieved in 100%, 93% in skin defect and oral/oropharyngeal defect, respectively. In pharyngoesophageal reconstruction, free and visceral flaps had higher success rates and lower complication rates than pectoralis major myocutaneous(PMMC) flaps(75% vs. 64%, 64% vs. 25%). The average completion time to oral intake in pharyngoesophageal reconstruction was within 2 weeks using free and visceral flaps, but within 29 days using PMMC flaps. CONCLUSIONS: PMMC flap is still a workhorse for head and neck reconstruction. Reconstruction with PMMC flap is adequate for skin, oral or oropharyngeal reconstruction, but inadequate for pharyngoesophageal reconstruction especially for circumferential defect. Those patients reconstructed with visceral flaps were able to tolerate oral feedings sooner and were less likely to have local complications than those with PMMC flaps. Thin myocutaneous flaps such as platysma flap can be used for myomucosal defect of oral cavity as adequately as free flaps.

Reconstruction after Surgical Treatment of the Hypopharyngeal Cancer: Forearm Free Flap and Pectoralis Major Myocutaneous Flap / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND: The comparison of information and complication after pharyngoesophageal reconstruction using the forearm free flap and pectoralis major myocutaneous flap was rarely reported. OBJECTIVES: To compare the information(duration of the procedure, nasogastric tube feeding and hospital stay etc) and complications after pharyngoesophageal reconstruction using the forearm free flap and pectoralis major myocutaneous flap, we reviewed the records of 19 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx. MATERIALS: The records of 19 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of hypopharyx between June 1989 and November 1995 at Chungnam National University Hospital were reviewed retrospectively. Ten of 19 patients were reconstructed with forearm free flap and the others were reconstructed with pectoralis major myocutaneous flap. RESULTS: In 10 patient using forearm free flap, the duration of procedure, the duration of hospital stay, duration of nasogastric tube feeding and viability of flap were 13.7 hours, 38.5 days, 24 days and 80% respectively. In 9 patients using pectoralis major myocutaneous flap, the duration of procedure, the duration of hospital stay, the duration of nasogastric tube feeding and viability of duration were 7.38 hours, 29.1 days, 19 days and 88.9% respectively. There was no significant difference in complications between the groups. CONCLUSION: The pectoralis major myocutaneous flap was slightly superior to forearm free flap in aspect of the duration of procedure, hospital stay, duration of nasogastric tube feeding and viability. There was no statistically significant difference of complications. But we think that the more cases were required to compare the forearm free flap and pectoralis major myocutaneous flap.

Pharyngoesophageal reconstruction / 영남의대학술지

Microvascular tissue transfers have facilitated primary closure of various complex defects after radical ablation of head and neck cancers. From Oct 1991 to Feb 1992, we used forearm free flap in two patients and delto-pectoral flap in one patient who had preoperative irradiation for pharyngoesophageal reconstruction. The stricture and fistula formation were most troublesome complication in forearm free flap, so we designed as lazy S shape in distal flap margin to prevent circular contraction and longitudinal margin was deepithelialized (5 mm) and sutured double layer to withstand fistular formation and this can be considered useful in place of a free jejuna transfer.