Tracheal reconstruction with a modified infrahyoid myocutaneous flap

Reconstruction of a tracheal defect is a challenge because it often requires invasive surgery associated with relatively high morbidity. We recently invented a less-invasive method using a modified infrahyoid myocutaneous (IHMC) flap for the reconstruction of a tracheal defect in an 83-year-old male. A tracheal defect, the right half of the cricoid cartilage plus the right three quarters of the I-IV tracheal cartilage (about 3 × 4 cm), was reconstructed with a modified IHMC flap composed of the sternohyoid and platysma muscles and a skin pedicle. Considering the age of patient, we avoided rigid reconstruction and used a soft silicone tracheal opening retainer (Koken Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) as an anterior wall dilator after surgery and waited for the scarring of the flap until it become rigid enough. The postoperative course was uneventful and the trachea was reconstructed safely. Tracheal reconstruction with an IHMC flap is a useful and less-invasive alternative compared to end-to-end anastomosis or reconstruction with a forearm flap, which is currently used as a mainstay.     

Prefabricated composite free flaps for tracheal reconstruction: a new technique

OBJECTIVES: Successful laryngotracheal reconstruction requires both structurally supported tissue that withstands airway pressure changes and well-vascularized epithelial lining to prevent granulation and stricture formation. For circumferential defects, end-to-end anastomosis achieves favorable results, but for long-segment or large noncircumferential defects, no proven methods have emerged. Several animal studies describe prefabricated soft tissue flaps wrapped around synthetic materials or cartilage. However, prefabricated flaps have had very little use in human airway reconstruction. We present a patient with laryngeal stenosis and tracheostomy dependence following chemoradiotherapy for hypopharyngeal carcinoma. METHODS: In an attempt to widen the patient's laryngeal airway, a thyrotracheal autograft procedure, previously described by our institution, was performed. We transferred a segment of hemitrachea cephalad using the thyroid gland as a "vascular carrier," thus creating an 8-cm-long trough inferiorly that involved a 40% defect of the anterior tracheal circumference. Severe radiation damage to the cervical skin precluded use of traditional tracheoplasty methods. We used a technique whereby costal cartilage strips were implanted into a radial forearm free flap, designed to replicate the anterior tracheal wall. RESULTS: Four weeks later, we harvested the prefabricated composite flap and placed it into the defect, using forearm skin as tracheal lining. The cervical skin defect was closed with an island deltopectoral flap. A soft stent was kept in the neotrachea for 3 weeks, and a tracheostomy tube was left beneath it. The tracheostomy was subsequently closed with local advancement flaps, and the patient currently maintains an excellent airway. CONCLUSIONS: Prefabricated composite free flaps are an attractive option for certain challenging cases of airway reconstruction.     

Immediate reconstruction after total laryngopharyngoesophagectomy and mediastinal dissection

Advanced or recurrent carcinoma surrounding the tracheostoma in a previously laryngectomized patient is most effectively treated with transsternal radical dissection of the upper mediastinum and relocation of the trachea to the upper chest. The use of the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap, now enables the head and neck surgeon to perform immediate reconstruction and provide protection for the great vessels after mediastinal dissection for stomal recurrence. Formerly, patients with stomal recurrence also involving the cervical or upper thoracic esophagus were poor surgical candidates. Frequently, patients succumbed to their disease before the continuity of the digestive tract could be re-established. Currently, at our institution, this vexing reconstructive problem is solved with immediate, one-stage reconstruction. The esophagus is replaced by transposing the stomach through the posterior mediastinum and anastomosing to the tongue base, "gastric pull-up." The mediastinal defect is closed with the concomitant use of the pectoralis myocutaneous flap. The muscular portion of the myocutaneous flap provides excellent coverage for the great vessels of the upper mediastinum. Our experience with 39 patients who underwent this procedure between 1979 and 1983 is presented.     

Mediastinal tracheostomy: unilateral resection of the anterior chest wall

Since the first reliable mediastinal tracheostomy described by Grillo et al. in 1966, many new techniques have been described in order to reduce the number of complications. We here report the case of a 55-year-old man who was referred for surgery with post-radiochemotherapy recurrence of a double neoplasm of the pharyngolarynx extending to the proximal trachea and the medial part of the oesophagus. Through a median sternotomy, a pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy was performed with an extended tracheal resection. The reconstruction of the upper digestive tract was performed with a gastric pull-up. The mediastinal tracheostomy was performed with a pectoralis major muscular flap through a right unilateral resection of the manubrium, the right clavicular head and the right first and second costal cartilages. Historically, the mediastinal tracheostomy was performed through a large bilateral resection of the anterior chest wall, in order to prevent the tension on the tracheocutaneous sutures. Nowadays, with the possibility of various pedicled flaps, bilateral resection no longer seems to be necessary. This unilateral resection leads to a reduction in post-operative sequelae.     

Two modifications of pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (PMMF)

Pectoralis major myocutaneous flap is the most commonly used versatile flap in head and neck reconstructive surgery. The use of entirely tubed pectoralis major myocutaneous flap for reconstruction of the hypopharynx following total laryngectomy and total pharyngectomy has a disadvantage of bulkiness of the flap and poor postoperative deglutition. One-stage reconstruction of the entire hypopharynx utilizing a combination of pectoralis major myocutaneous flap and dermal graft minimizes bulkiness, thus achieving satisfactory to excellent functional results. The operation has been performed on four patients with excellent deglutition. The pectoralis major myocutaneous flap is utilized to reconstruct the anterior and lateral walls of the hypopharynx, the dermal graft for the posterior wall as far superior as the vault of the nasopharynx. The operative procedure is described. Pectoralis major myocutaneous flap usually provides enough length to reach the distant site of the surgical defect. On occasion, however, additional length is desirable to avoid tension along the suture line. This becomes apparent when a random portion of elevated pectoralis major myocutaneous flap presents questionable viability which may require further trimming. Resection of the medial half of the clavicle can provide additional length of this flap by 2 cm to 2.5 cm.     

Treatment of stenoses of the laryngotracheal junction and the cervical trachea

In the past 20 years we have operated on 187 patients for tracheal stenoses. Dilatation, tracheopexy with ring support, sleeve resection, and the gutter procedure are described. In recent years we have replaced open treatment of the tracheal gutter with our closed method. After expanding the posterior wall, the anterior tracheal wall is closed with a myocutaneous island flap, rib cartilage or a myomucosal flap. The merits of the different methods are discussed. Dilatation of the trachea and reconstruction of the anterior tracheal wall over a silicone tube in a one stage procedure creates a sturdy trachea, which is better able to resist scar contracture and pressure from the soft parts of the neck than an open U-shaped gutter. The number of operations and days of treatment per patient are materially reduced by the closed method.     

Pulmonary atelectasis after reconstruction with pectoralis major flaps

Forty-four patients were reviewed to determine the incidence of atelectasis following pectoralis major myocutaneous flap reconstruction of head and neck defects. Patients underwent tumor resection with subsequent pectoralis major myocutaneous flap reconstruction (flap group, n = 24) or another major head and neck procedure (control group, n = 20). Chest roentgenograms taken on the first postoperative day were scored for atelectasis by preestablished criteria. Sixty-five percent of control and 70% of flap patients demonstrated postoperative atelectasis roentgenographically. The flap patients with skin paddles larger than 40 cm2 had a 60% incidence of major atelectasis compared with 5% in control patients. The skin island area was strongly correlated with the atelectasis score in the flap group. These results suggest that atelectasis is common following pectoralis major myocutaneous flap reconstruction of head and neck defects. As well, decreased chest wall compliance after primary closure of large donor defects may contribute to the atelectasis observed.     

Management of radiation-induced tracheocutaneous tissue defects by transplantation of an ear cartilage graft and deltopectoral flap

Patients suffering from head and neck cancer often require temporary tracheostomy during therapy. The tracheostomy can usually be closed when postoperative swelling decreases and swallowing ability recovers. However, some patients, especially after adjuvant radiotherapy, may develop severe chronic wounds resulting in persistent tracheocutaneous fistula. Local wound care and plastic reconstruction strategies are required in such cases. We present two patients with head and neck cancer treated with primary surgical regimen including temporary tracheostomy and adjuvant radiotherapy. Both patients developed a persistent, poorly healing wound with persistent tracheocutaneous tissue defect. After local debridement and wound care, the peristomal necrotic tissue was excised down to the level of the trachea. The defect of the anterior tracheal wall was closed with a autogenous ear cartilage graft. The graft was harvested from the cavum conchae and sutured to the tracheal defect. The soft tissue defect was covered by transposition of a well-vascularized, fasciocutaneous deltopectoral flap. In both cases, the flaps healed satisfactorily. The donor defect was closed primarily. Complications were not observed in these two cases. A flexible tracheo-bronchoscopy showed no stenosis of the trachea at the site of cartilage graft transplantation. In conclusion, treatment of persistent radiated tracheocutaneous defects by cartilage graft and deltopectoral flap turned out to be a safe and reliable procedure which can be performed as a one-stage method with low morbidity at the donor site.     

Auricular cartilage versus costal cartilage as a grafting material in experimental laryngotracheal reconstruction

Auricular cartilage has been used clinically as an alternative material to costal cartilage for implantation during laryngotracheal reconstructive surgery. Little information is available concerning the healing characteristics or the durability of these two types of graft. The authors of this study examined the rate of epithelialization and the survival of cartilage in a rabbit model of anterior tracheal wall reconstruction and directly compared auricular and costal cartilage grafts. Auricular cartilage was found to epithelialize faster than costal cartilage. Both types of graft survived well after implantation. The superior healing characteristics of auricular cartilage make it a desirable material for laryngotracheal reconstruction.     

Skin grafts and flaps in oral cavity reconstruction

Split-thickness skin grafts and regional flaps have been used to reconstruct deficits produced by oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer resection in 191 patients. The rate of complication, delay in oral alimentation, and the postoperative length of hospitalization was greater for pectoralis myocutaneous and deltopectoral flap reconstructions than for skin grafts, even when comparably sized defects are considered. The adverse effect of weight loss is greater on flap reconstructions than skin grafts and is influenced little by preoperative nutritional therapy. Skin graft reconstruction is recommended for moderate and large defects. The pectoralis myocutaneous flap may be reserved for massive defects or when the anterior part of the mandible has been resected.     

Reconstruction of circumferential defect of the hypopharynx: Experimental studies and clinical application of a new method

Reconstruction of circumferential defect of the hypopharynx is a challenging problem in head and neck surgery. Reconstruction with a totally tubed pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (PMMCF) has been advocated in recent years, but this procedure has the disadvantage of excessive bulkiness. In order to solve this problem, the author experimented with a partially tubed platysma myocutaneous flap and an inner surface of apron skin flap of the anterior neck in the reconstruction of the circumferential defect of the hypopharynx in ten dogs. Subsequently, the same surgical technique using PMMCF instead of the platysma myocutaneous flap was used for reconstruction following total laryngopharyngectomy in eight patients. The new partially tubed flap was successful in solving the problem of excessive bulkiness of the totally tubed PMMCF.     

Reconstruction of the hypopharynx with U-shaped pectoralis major myocutaneous flap after total pharyngo-laryngectomy

Resection of the whole circumference of the pharynx and esophagus is usually reconstructed with gastric pull-up, jejunum free graft or free forearm flap. The aim of this study was to assess the use of pectoralis major myocutaneous flap for closure of total pharyngeal defect. In 11 patients with hypopharynx and larynx cancer, total pharyngo-laryngectomy and excision of the cervical part of the esophagus and neck dissections were performed; the defects were closed with pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps. The skin island was sutured to prevertebral muscles, forming a letter U shape. Good healing was obtained in six patients, and five patients developed fistula that closed spontaneously within 3–4 weeks. The use of U-shaped pectoralis major myocutaneous flap, suturing it to prevertebral muscles, gives good functional results, and it is a simple and time-saving second choice method of reconstruction of the pharynx after total pharyngo-laryngectomy.     

喉气管狭窄重建术20年经验

为了提高喉气管狭窄的重建技术。总结２０年来２６１例喉气管狭窄的治疗。８８．８％患者术前都依靠气管切开套管呼吸。主要手术方法：声门重建术；栅栏状喉气管重建术；喉气管切开加自体或人工合成移植物重建术等。结果：２６１例中，９例未愈，５例失访；２４７例（９４．６％）已拔管治愈。１９２例随访１～１８年，４例３年后再狭窄，其中３例再手术治愈。１０例未愈，１８２例（９４．７％）疗效巩固。结论：喉气管狭窄的治疗应根据病情选择手术方法和移植物；栅栏状喉气管重建术具有方法简单，抗感染力强优点；严重喉气管狭窄、闭锁或合并气管大面积缺损以双蒂肌皮瓣、复合肋软骨和人工气管环重建术效果较好；支撑器的应用在喉气管重建中有重要作用。     

喉气管狭窄重建术20年经验

为了提高喉气管狭窄的重建技术。总结２０年来２６１例喉气管狭窄的治疗，８８．８％患者术前都依靠气管切开套管呼吸。主要手术方法：声门重建术、栅栏状喉气管重建术，喉气管切开加自体或人工合成移植重建术等。结果：２６１例，９例未愈，５例失访，２４７例（９４．６％）已拔管治愈。１９２例随访１￣１８年，４例３年后再狭窄，其中３例再手术治愈。１０例未愈，１８２例（９４．７％）疗效巩固。结论：喉气管狭窄的治疗应根据     

原发性颈段气管癌的手术治疗

目的　探讨原发性颈段气管癌的手术治疗途径与经验。方法　 1997年 1月～ 1999年 4月手术治疗 6例原发性颈段气管癌 ,手术切除肿瘤后 ,采用气管端端吻合、颈前肌皮瓣 +胸舌骨肌筋膜瓣、带蒂胸锁乳突肌肌骨膜瓣及胸大肌肌皮瓣修复气管缺损。病理类型 :腺样囊性癌 3例 ,鳞状细胞癌 2例 ,腺癌 1例。 2例鳞状细胞癌患者术后放射治疗剂量为 6 0Gy。结果　 6例患者分别在术后2 3d～ 3个月拔除气管套管 ,无术后并发症。随访 3年以上 ,除 1例鳞状细胞癌患者术后 2年死于肺转移 ,其余 5例患者呼吸、发音良好 ,纤维支气管镜检查未见复发 ,气管管腔黏膜光滑。结论　手术治疗颈段气管癌可以一期切除肿瘤 ,根据缺损不同采用气管端端吻合或自体组织移植如颈前肌皮瓣 +胸舌骨肌筋膜瓣、带蒂胸锁乳突肌肌骨膜瓣及胸大肌肌皮瓣重建气管。     

累及喉气管的晚期甲状腺癌一期手术整复

目的：探讨晚期甲状腺癌累及喉、气管时的一期手术整复方法。方法：对18例存在喉气管受累的晚期甲状腺癌患者进行一期肿瘤全切及喉气管整复，其中7例喉受累患者全喉切除3例，喉部分切除4例；18例颈段气管受累患者中，8例直接切除肿瘤，10例切除受累气管壁后，修复方法包括：拉扰缝合1例，端端吻合3例、带蒂胸锁乳突肌骨膜瓣2例、岛状胸大肌肌皮瓣3例和颈部皮瓣1例。结果：住院期间肿瘤复发死亡1例。除3例全喉切除患者外，14例成功保留喉功能，其中拔除气管套管8例，堵管2例，继续带管4例。结论：对于累及喉气管的晚期甲状腺癌采用一期手术切除并整复不仅切实可行，而且可以提高此类患者的治愈机会，改善生活质量。     

Primary reconstructive method for tracheal defect from invasion by differentiated thyroid carcinoma

Differentiated thyroid carcinoma is not highly malignant, and thus surgical resection is the most common treatment even if the carcinoma has invaded the trachea. Although some cases exist in which the carcinoma invades the trachea, using the tracheal window resection method allows complete resection of the carcinoma. Yet these patients must often control a large tracheocutaneous wound until reconstructive surgery is performed because such surgery occurs secondarily. Our hospital admitted three patients for which tracheally invasive, differentiated thyroid carcinoma was surgically resected. Tracheal defects of 1/2 to 2/3 of the tracheal circumference were reconstructed primarily using the free forearm flap and costal cartilage during carcinoma resection. Following surgery, only a small tracheocutaneous fistula remained open, which was closed at about three months post-operation. The reconstructed tracheal space and transferred costal cartilage thickness were monitored by CT scan imaging at about 12 months post-operation. Details of the reconstructive method and postoperative changes in the reconstructed trachea and thickness of the costal cartilage are described in this report.     

原发性颈段气管癌的手术治疗

目的 探讨原发性颈段气管癌的手术治疗途径与经验。方法 1997年1月～1999年4月手术治疗6例原发性颈段气管癌，手术切除肿瘤后，采用气管端端吻合、颈前肌皮瓣 胸舌骨肌筋膜瓣、带蒂胸锁乳突肌肌骨膜瓣及胸大肌肌皮瓣修复气管缺损。病理类型：腺样囊性癌3例，鳞状细胞癌2例，腺癌1例。2例鳞状细胞癌患者术后放射治疗剂量为60Gy。结果 6例患者分别在术后23d～3个月拔除气管套管，无术后并发症。随访3年以上，除1例鳞状细胞癌患者术后2年死于肺转移，其余5例患者呼吸、发音良好，纤维支气管镜检查未见复发，气管管腔黏膜光滑。结论 手术治疗颈段气管癌可以一期切除肿瘤，根据缺损不同采用气管端端吻合或自体组织移植如颈前肌皮瓣 胸舌骨肌筋膜瓣、带蒂胸锁乳突肌肌骨膜瓣及胸大肌肌皮瓣重建气管。     

甲状腺癌侵犯颈段气管的气管缺损与修复

目的总结甲状腺癌侵犯颈段气管的气管缺损修复经验,提高术中气管缺损修复的治疗效果。方法收集2011年8月—2019年2月诊治的32例甲状腺癌侵犯颈段气管患者资料,其中6例术中采用锐性削除受侵气管外壁,8例气管袖式切除+端端吻合,6例胸锁乳突肌锁骨骨膜瓣,8例胸锁乳突肌锁骨骨膜瓣联合生物膜,2例前臂皮瓣+自体软骨移植,2例气管造瘘+Ⅱ期修复。结果6例锐性削除气管外壁患者中,有1例患者术后第6天出现气管瘘,予以换药后出院;余26例患者中,24例于术后6个月内恢复正常呼吸功能,1例前臂皮瓣+自体软骨移植患者术后出现局部气管狭窄,黏痰堵塞,带管生存,1例带蒂胸锁乳突肌骨膜瓣+生物膜患者术后气管局部塌陷伴双侧声带麻痹,带管生存。结论对于侵犯气管的甲状腺癌患者,根据不同的侵犯范围,选取合适的气管切除和缺损气管的修复方式,才能取得较高的手术成功率和较好的治疗效果。     

喉全切除后气管造瘘口复发癌缺损外科修复比较

目的探索喉全切除后气管造瘘口复发癌缺损外科修复的治疗效果。方法对18例喉全切除后气管造瘘口复发癌实施外科治疗。其中Ⅰ型7例,颈部单纯切口,胸大肌肌皮瓣修复颈部皮肤气管造瘘口缺损;Ⅱ型6例,颈肢或胸联合切口,前臂皮瓣或胸大肌肌皮瓣(游离前臂皮瓣5例,胸大肌肌皮瓣1例)修复部分喉咽切除;Ⅲ型3例,颈腹联合切口,游离空肠修复全喉咽、颈段食管;Ⅳ型2例,颈胸腹联合切口,胃上拉修复全喉咽、全食管。Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ型的颈部皮肤气管造瘘口缺损均用胸大肌肌皮瓣修复。结果颈部缺损胸大肌肌皮瓣均成活;咽瘘4例(其中游离空肠1例,前臂皮瓣2例,胃上拉咽瘘出血1例);全部病例术后均能进食;随访6～74个月,3例出现不同程度吞咽梗阻。结论喉全切除后气管造瘘口复发癌外科治疗缺损,修复选择应根据原发肿瘤治疗的经过及气管造瘘口复发癌侵及范围来确定修复方法。