Vertical hemipharyngolaryngectomy: reconstruction with the radial forearm free flap

A considerable body of literature defines techniques to restore glottic function after partial laryngectomy. The authors of this paper describe a new original technique for glottic and hypopharyngeal reconstruction after vertical hemipharyngolaryngectomy. Using a radial forearm free flap including the tendon of the palmaris longus and a sensitive branch of the radial nerve, they were able to reconstruct the missing vocal cord and a pyriform fossa. This procedure permits an extended resection without the usual phonatory or swallowing inconveniences. There is no contraindication for postoperative radiotherapy. The technique and preliminary functional results are reported.     

Comparison of deltopectoralis flap and free radial forearm flap in reconstruction after oral cancer ablation

Defects in the head and neck resulting from ablation of oral cancer frequently lead to disabling functional and cosmetic deformities. Rehabilitation of patients with oral cancer can be an emotionally and technically challenging endeavor. Selection of the donor tissue is clearly dependent upon the defect that is to be reconstructed. The donor tissue should be of sufficient bulk and pliability to facilitate reestablishing contour and function. Regional flap and free flap have been the mainstays of reconstruction for surgical defects after ablation of oral cancer. The records of 77 patients in whom 49 deltopectoral (DP) flaps and 28 free radial forearm flaps (FRFF) were used were analyzed. The success rate of the DP flap was 89.8% and of the FRFF was 96.4%. The minor complication rate at the transplant site (fistula, dehiscence, hematoma) for the DP flaps was 22.4% and for the FRFFs was 14.3%. Overall complication rate at the transplant site for DP flaps was 32.7% and for the FRFFs was 17.9%. The incidence of partial loss of the donor-site skin graft was 4.1% for the DP flaps and 10.7% for the FRFFs. Overall complication rate at the donor site for DP flaps was 10.2% and for the FRFFs was 39.3%. DP flaps had better aesthetic and functional results at the donor site, than FRFFs. However, the DP flap is a staged procedure and results in prolonged hospitalization. In contrast to FRFF, performing a DP flap avoids the difficult technique of microanastomosis, and therefore reduces the donor-site complication rate and the operation time. Therefore, free flaps can not be routinely substituted for regional flaps, but they represent better reconstructive alternatives for specific and selected patients.     

Free flap reconstruction in the treatment of tumors involving the hard palate.

AIM: To report our experience in free flap reconstruction of the hard palate after malignant tumor resection, in terms of reconstruction method, immediate post-operative course and subjective functional results. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Files from 1988 to 1999 were reviewed for patients having undergone microvascular reconstruction of the hard palate. The immediate post-operative course (during the first month) was reviewed to determine the occurrence of complications. The surgeon's evaluation 1 year post-operatively was used to determine the intelligibility of speech, type of diet and the quality of nasal permeability. RESULTS: Thirty eight patients (28 men and 10 women) with malignant tumors involving the hard palate had undergone surgical reconstruction using microvascular free flap techniques: free radial forearm flap (13 cases), scapular flap (24 cases) or fibular flap (five cases). Two different flaps were employed in two cases (scapula plus fibula). A second flap was used with success in two cases of failure of the first flap, for a total of 42 free flaps for 38 patients. Complications occurred in seven cases, with two cases of flap necrosis. At 1 year, 33 patients achieved a normal diet and 35 normal or easily intelligible speech. CONCLUSIONS: Microsurgical reconstruction using free tissue transfer allows reconstruction of large defects of the hard palate, with low morbidity and an excellent functional outcome. We propose criteria for free flap reconstruction and choice of flap.     

Reconstruction of scalp defects with the radial forearm free flap

Background

Advanced and recurrent cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the scalp and forehead require aggressive surgical excision often resulting in complex defects requiring reconstruction. This study evaluates various microvascular free flap reconstructions in this patient population, including the rarely utilized radial forearm free flap.

Patients and methods

A retrospective review of patients undergoing free flap surgeries (n = 47) of the scalp between 1997 and 2011 were included. Patients were divided primarily into two cohorts: a new primary lesion (n = 21) or recurrence (n = 26). Factors examined include patient demographics, indication for surgery, defect, type of flap used, complications (major and minor), and outcomes.

Results

The patients were primarily male (n = 34), with a mean age of 67 years (25?C91). A total of 58 microvascular free flap reconstructions were performed (radial forearm free flap: n = 28, latissimus dorsi: n = 20, rectus abdominis: n = 9, scapula: n = 1). Following reconstruction with a radial forearm free flap, duration of hospitalization was shorter (P = 0.04) and complications rates were similar (P = 0.46). Donor site selection correlated with defect area (P < 0.001), but not with the extent of skull defect (P = 0.70). Larger defect areas correlated with higher complications rates (P = 0.03) and longer hospitalization (P = 0.003). Patients were more likely to require multiple reconstructions if referred for a recurrent lesions (P = 0.01) or received prior radiation therapy (P = 0.02).

Conclusion

Advanced and recurrent malignancies of the scalp are aggressive and challenging to treat. The radial forearm free flap is an underutilized free flap in the reconstruction of complex scalp defects.     

Severe atherosclerosis of the radial artery in a free radial forearm flap precluding its use

The free radial forearm flap is the most frequently used free flap for head and neck reconstructions. Survival of free flaps is dependent on adequate blood supply. A 69-year old woman was scheduled for excision of a T3N0M0 oropharyngeal carcinoma, neck dissections and reconstruction with a free vascularized radial forearm flap. During the operation it appeared that the entire radial artery was almost completely obstructed by atherosclerotic plaques precluding microvascular anastomosis. Despite systemic risk factors certain artery types are more prone to develop clinically manifest atherosclerosis. There are no reports on the pathology of the radial artery in free flap reconstructions. In head and neck cancer patients severe atherosclerosis of the radial artery is very rare, but if present makes free radial forearm flap reconstruction impossible. Therefore, in patients with risk factors for peripheral vascular disease screening for radial artery stenosis should be considered.     

Comparison of radial forearm free flap, pedicled buccal fat pad flap and split-thickness skin graft in reconstruction of buccal mucosal defect

There are a variety of methods to reconstruct the mucosal defect after the ablation of buccal cancer. We used the radial forearm free flap (RFFF), pedicled buccal fat pad flap (PBFPF) or split-thickness skin graft (STSG) to reconstruct the buccal mucosal defect in our series respectively and compared the mouth-open width among these methods. We found there was no significant difference in the change of mouth-open width between the Group STSG and Group PBFPF. However, the negative effect on the mouth opening was significantly less (p<0.05) in Group RFFF when compared with the Group STSG or Group PBFPF. In conclusion, reconstruction with radial forearm free flap for buccal mucosal defect carries more chances to preserve the original mouth-open width than with pedicled buccal fat pad flap or split-thickness skin graft among the selected patients who undergo tumor resection for T2 or T3 buccal cancer.     

三叶前臂皮瓣在口底癌术后缺损修复重建中的应用

目的探讨改良的三叶前臂皮瓣在口底癌术后缺损修复中的应用价值。方法 2016年6月至2019年12月湖南省肿瘤医院收治的口底癌患者12例, T分期均为T2期, 其中高分化鳞状细胞癌9例, 中分化鳞状细胞癌3例。肿瘤切除及颈部淋巴结清扫术后, 缺损面积为5.0 cm×4.5 cm至8.0 cm×6.0 cm。制备三叶前臂皮瓣修复缺损, 皮瓣大小为4.0 cm×1.5 cm至8.0 cm×2.0 cm。供区Z形直接缝合。结果 12例患者术后皮瓣均成活, 创面Ⅰ期愈合。供区切口均Ⅰ期愈合。平均随访38.6个月, 患者无感觉、功能障碍, 吞咽、语言功能满意。结论三叶前臂皮瓣可有效修复口底癌术后缺损, 同时供区能直接缝合, 避免因植皮造成的第2供区以及植皮后影响前臂功能。     

Functional outcomes of soft palate free flap reconstruction following oropharyngeal cancer surgery

IntroductionThe objective of this study was to assess the impact of surgical resection and free flap reconstruction of soft palate cancer on speech, swallowing and quality of life, and to identify the factors influencing functional outcomes and quality of life.Material and methodsPatients treated with surgical resection of squamous cell carcinoma and free-flap reconstruction of the soft palate were reviewed at least 12 months after surgery. Speech was assessed using the Hirose intelligibility scoring system, nasalance scoring, GRBAS scoring and the Voice Handicap Index 30 (VHI30) questionnaire. Swallowing was assessed by fiberoptic endoscopy and the Deglutition Handicap Index (DHI). Quality of life was assessed using EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-H&N35 questionnaires.Results29 patients were included. Speech outcomes were satisfactory, demonstrating normal or slightly below normal speech intelligibility in 75.9% of the patients, moderate or no rhinolalia in 72.4% of the patients and mean overall VHI30 scores indicative of slight or no handicap in 86.2% of the patients. Swallowing outcomes were satisfactory, with mean overall DHI scores indicative of slight or no handicap in 82.8% of the patients. Patient quality of life was preserved as demonstrated by mean quality of life and functioning scales scores all superior to 80%.ConclusionThe sequelae arising from surgical resection and free-flap reconstruction of soft palate cancer are tolerable, involving slight handicap in terms of speech and swallowing and relatively little impact on quality of life.     

舌癌根治术后游离前臂皮瓣一期舌再造术的改进

背景与目的：舌癌根治术造成半舌缺损,严重影响患者的生存质量。术中行一期舌再造术可保证手术创面的Ⅰ期愈合,使患者的吞咽及语言功能早日恢复,然而游离皮瓣再造舌时常发生的血管危象问题一直阻碍着这项手术的广泛开展。本文报告在应用游离前臂皮瓣行一期舌再造术中所做的一些改进方法,旨在提高其成功率。方法：对32例舌鳞癌患者在根治术中应用游离前臂皮瓣行一期舌再造,在皮瓣设计、制备和血管吻合等方面加以改进。结果：术后口腔和颈部创面均一期愈合,无涎瘘、乳糜漏、口底颌下瘘和感染等并发症发生;术后出现血管危象6例,5例抢救成功,1例失败,最终放弃皮瓣,移植成活率为96．9％。再造舌外形大部分良好,语言和吞咽功能恢复良好。结论：改进的游离前臂皮瓣舌再造术再造舌的成功率较高。     

A novel radial forearm free flap design to treat pharyngoesophageal stenosis in combination with the posterior wall of the trachea

Pharyngoesophageal stenosis (PES) is a common and serious complication of head and neck cancer treatments such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, tracheoesophageal puncture placement, and total laryngectomy surgery. Dilation-resistant stenosis requires surgical reconstruction, often with a radial forearm free flap (RFFF). With the present technique, the authors refine their previous bipaddled free flap design used to reconstruct a persistent tracheoesophageal fistulae (TEF) in combination with PES. Accordingly, we present a novel bipaddled triangular RFFF design ideally suited to address the shape of the defect in the posterior tracheal wall that results when the TEF is opened and the esophageal and tracheal components are restored.     

Use of the infra hyoid musculo-cutaneous flap in soft palate reconstruction

AIMS: To review a series of 23 consecutive patients with squamous cell carcinomas arising from oropharynx who underwent infra hyoid musculo-cutaneous flap reconstruction including soft palate in alternative to free radial forearm flap or maxillofacial prosthesis. Post operative radiotherapy was performed for all patients. RESULTS: Every reconstruction healed quickly without major wound complications. The functional results evaluated by speech and swallowing capacities, were good for 17 patients, fair for 4 patients and bad for 2. CONCLUSIONS: The infra hyoid musculo-cutaneous flap is a versatile, reliable and convenient flap suitable for repairing small and medium sized defects; it can be used in combination with other flaps, and in selected cases obviates the need for a microvascular free radial forearm flap or maxillofacial prosthesis.     

Jejunum free flap in hypopharynx reconstruction: Case series

Background

Surgical treatment of hypopharyngeal cancers with extension to the retrocricoid region generally requires a circumferential pharyngolaryngectomy followed by a reconstruction of the removed segment of the upper digestive tract. Historically, many techniques have been used in order to achieve a safe and functional reconstruction. Jejunum interposition is generally considered the best reconstructive technique.

Methods

This study examines the details of the surgical technique, the complications, the oncological and the functional results in a series of 29 consecutive patients submitted to circumferential pharyngoesophageal resection for advanced hypopharyngeal cancer followed by reconstruction with a free flap of jejunum.

Results

Three of the transplants failed because of venous thrombosis. The overall success rate was 90%. There were no general complications. A good swallowing has been preserved in all our patients. All our patients where a phonatory prosthesis was positioned (20/29) were able to achieve speech following speech therapy and all were satisfied with their own capacity to communicate.

Conclusions

The prognosis of hypopharyngeal tumours (18–40% at 5 years) remains poor, but jejunum autografts are being shown to be an excellent choice for the reconstruction of the cervical hypopharyngo-oesophagus offering the patient fast rehabilitation and a reasonable quality of survival. Our experience confirm that this kind of reconstruction is safe with a good results in improving oncologic controls and restoring a good quality of life.     

Upper limb free flap reconstruction after tumor resection

Free tissue transfer is the autologous transplantation of composite tissue and its arterial and venous blood supply to a distant site. Free tissue transfers, also called free flaps, may include skin, fascia, muscle, or bone. Free flaps were once considered highly complex procedures; now they are frequently used as the reconstructive option of choice. While several variables must be considered when one plans a free tissue transfer, the most important consideration is the size and location of the defect created by the tumor resection. Free tissue transfer is a multistep procedure, including preparation of the recipient site, harvesting of the flap, and transfer and revascularization of the flap. For upper extremity reconstruction, the gracilis muscle flap has been particularly useful, as has the lateral arm fasciocutaneous flap. Semin. Surg. Oncol. 19:246-254, 2000.     

Frontiers in free flap reconstruction in the head and neck

This chapter describes the state of the art in head and neck free flap reconstruction and will stress some of its major deficits. It will also discuss some of the most promising frontiers in reconstruction, including tissue engineering and composite allotransplantation. The true frontiers of reconstruction need to be refined at the cellular level where tissue engineered from the individual cells and manipulation of the patient's immune system will potentially allow allotransplantation without affecting rates of cancer cure.     

Squamous cell carcinoma of the hard palate.

From 1932 to 1975, 32 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the hard palate were seen at the University of Virginia Hospital. These have been reviewed with regard to race, age, sex distribution, histology and clinical presentation. The results of treatment have been analyzed by stage and mode of therapy. Finally, the time of appearance of local recurrence following initial therapy, the incidence of distant metastases and second primary tumors presented.The authors compare the treatment results obtained between the orthovoltage and supervoltage eras. There has been an improvement in results since the advent of supervoltage and this is especially attributable to improvements in the radiotherapy group. Considering radiotherapy the primary control was $\text{2}\text{6}$ patients (33%) in the orthovoltage era compared with $\text{9}\text{10}$ patients (90%) in the supervoltage era.     

The free vastus lateralis flap for reconstruction in ablative oncologic head and neck surgery.

AIMS: The vastus lateralis muscle is an accessory extensor for the knee suitable as a free myocutaneous flap in reconstructive head and neck surgery. We report the use of this muscle as a flap. METHODS: We have used the free myocutaneous vastus lateralis flap for reconstruction following ablative head and neck tumour surgery in six patients. The clinical outcome, time of surgery for flap preparation and anatomosis, follow-up and functional outcome were analysed. RESULTS: Five of our patients showed a very satisfactory functional and cosmetic outcome. Post-operatively, there was no prolonged immobilisation and no limitation of movement to the hip and knee. No unfavourable side-effects at the donor side were noted. CONCLUSIONS: We find this flap a very useful addition to our free myocutaneous flap armamentarium. It has a specific suitability for replacing large defects.