Free jejunal graft reconstruction after total pharyngolaryngeal resection for hypopharyngeal cancer.

The free jejunal graft is a very useful procedure for hypopharyngeal reconstruction after total pharyngolaryngectomy. Between 1985 and 1994 56 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx were treated by this method. The median age was 54 (range 35-76). There were 54 men and 2 women. The mortality rate was 4% (2/56). The graft failure was 4% (2/56). Good swallowing function was achieved in 91% (49/54 assessable patients). Nine patients developed local recurrences, four patients had local and neck recurrences. Distant metastases occurred in six patients and five developed metachronous cancers. Follow-up analysis showed a 5-yr survival rate of 33%. After 10 yr, the free jejunal graft has become, for us, the method of choice for hypopharyngeal reconstruction after total pharyngolaryngectomy.