Pen-Yuan Chu1, Shyue-Yih Chang. 1. Department of Otolaryngology, Veterans General Hospital-Taipei, National Yang-Ming University, 201, Sec 2, Shih-Pai Road, Taipei, Taiwan. pychu@vghtpe.gov.tw
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hypopharyngeal cancer often presents at an advanced stage. Radical surgery has played an important role in the treatment of these cases; however, it always results in a large, or even a circumferential, defect of the pharyngoesophageal segment (PES) that causes some difficulties during reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve patients with advanced hypopharyngeal cancer and cervical esophageal invasion received surgery resulting in a circumferential defect of PES, which was reconstructed with the contralateral unaffected laryngotracheal flap and a patch-on pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (PMMCF). RESULTS: The operation time of this method was shorter compared with free flap reconstruction. Only two minor complications and no pharyngocutaneous fistulas were found postoperatively. Nine patients can resume a regular diet. During the follow-up period (median, 38 months), there were no local recurrences and only one contralateral neck recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The preliminary result shows this technique is a simple and effective method with low morbidity and satisfactory oncologic and functional results. Copyright 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
BACKGROUND:Hypopharyngeal cancer often presents at an advanced stage. Radical surgery has played an important role in the treatment of these cases; however, it always results in a large, or even a circumferential, defect of the pharyngoesophageal segment (PES) that causes some difficulties during reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve patients with advanced hypopharyngeal cancer and cervical esophageal invasion received surgery resulting in a circumferential defect of PES, which was reconstructed with the contralateral unaffected laryngotracheal flap and a patch-on pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (PMMCF). RESULTS: The operation time of this method was shorter compared with free flap reconstruction. Only two minor complications and no pharyngocutaneous fistulas were found postoperatively. Nine patients can resume a regular diet. During the follow-up period (median, 38 months), there were no local recurrences and only one contralateral neck recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The preliminary result shows this technique is a simple and effective method with low morbidity and satisfactory oncologic and functional results. Copyright 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.