Closure of large pharyngo-oesophageal fistulas with free flap transfer after resections for cancer.

Postoperative salivary fistulas still remain a serious and potentially lethal problem in head and neck reconstruction particularly if the fistula is large and involving one half or more of the circumference of the pharyngo-oesophagus. Pedicled flaps have traditionally been the flaps of choice for closure of these fistulas, but the results are often disappointing. During the period 1982 to 1995, we have used either a radial forearm free flap or a jejunal free flap to close large and complex pharyngo-oesophageal fistulas after resection for cancer in 15 patients. Although two patients developed major fistulas that required additional operations for closure, successful closure was achieved in all but one case: the success rate was therefore 14/15 (93%). We consider that jejunal flaps are suitable for circumferential pharyngo-oesophageal reconstruction and forearm flaps for non-circumferential defects.