The combined use of hyoid bone flap and radial forearm free flap for reconstruction following partial laryngopharyngectomy

In hypopharyngeal carcinoma, even partial laryngopharyngectomy, results in functional disorders involving swallowing and speaking. We reconstructed partial defects following partial laryngopharyngectomy using a combined flap of a hyoid bone flap and radial forearm free flap. Before ablative surgery, we prepared an ipsilateral hyoid bone as a bone flap with sternohyoidal muscle. Then a radial forearm free flap was prepared simultaneously with tumor surgery. Thereafter, we reconstructed the epiglottis and pyriform recess using the combined flap. We successfully reconstructed 7 patients suffering from squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx. The tracheostoma in all patients could be closed. Six patients could swallow without dysphagia within 48 days. This is the first report of the successful combined use of a hyoid bone flap and radial forearm free flap for hypopharyngeal carcinoma.     

Reconstruction of the larynx and aryepiglottic fold using a free radial forearm tendocutaneous flap after partial laryngopharyngectomy: a case report

The patient was a 62-year-old man with chief complaints of pharyngeal pain and dysphagia. He was diagnosed with pyriform sinus poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma T3N0M0 (Stage II) and underwent partial laryngopharyngectomy, lymphadenectomy in the right neck, tracheostomy, and reconstruction of the larynx and aryepiglottic fold with a free radial forearm flap and the associated vascularized palmaris longus tendon. No particular problems occurred after surgery, and swallowing and articulation functions were successfully recovered. A free jejunum transfer is the first choice for reconstruction of a defect after partial hypopharyngectomy, but reconstruction of the supracricoid complex structure of the larynx using a free jejunum transfer after partial laryngopharyngectomy may lead to aspiration of intestinal fluids. In this case, we performed functional reconstruction of the laryngopharyngeal defect using a free radial forearm flap including a vascularized tendon of the palmaris longus, and satisfactory postoperative function was achieved. We believe that the key to successful functional recovery after partial laryngopharyngectomy is establishment of the three-dimensional complex structure of the arytenoid and aryepiglottic fold.     

Reconstruction of a circular defect of the hypopharynx and cervical part of esophagus by a free jejunal flap (case report)

Patients with impaired continuity of the upper gastrointestinal tract are dependent on gastrostomy or jejunostomy tube feeds, which significantly reduce their quality of life. Reconstruction of the hypopharynx and esophagus is desirable in cases of congenital deformities, corrosive injuries, or defects after tumor resections. Free flap allows for easier reconstruction of head and neck defects. In this article, the authors present a case of complete hypopharynx closure in an oncology patient with a larynx carcinoma. The patient is a 60-year-old male diagnosed in 2002 with epidermoid carcinoma of larynx. The patient underwent laser resection of the tumor followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In 2003 the patient underwent pharyngo - laryngectomy for relapse of the larynx carcinoma. Postoperatively the patient developed pharyngo - cutaneous fistula, which was reconstructed at the otorhinolaryngology department by a muscle - cutaneous flap from the pectoralis major muscle. During the course of healing the patient developed complete hypopharynx and cervical esophagus closure. Free flap of jejunum was recommended. The surgery team used a 10 cm long section of jejunum; the recipient blood vessels were arteria transversa colli and internal jugular vein. On the second day after the surgery patient developed salivary fistula in the wound. The fistula healed spontaneously in five weeks. Pharyngoscopy revealed that the transplanted jejunum was fully vital. Free flap of the jejunum allowed for upper gastrointestinal tract reconstruction and allowed the patient to restart peroral intake.     

15 years experience with microvascular free tissue transfert for repair of head and neck cancer defects

We present the modalities and results obtained with free flap reconstruction of head and neck cancers defects. This retrospective review of 165 free transfers performed between 1984 and 1999 included 89 radial forearm flaps (54%), 38 latissimus dorsi flaps (23%), 28 osteomyocutaneous flaps (17%), 6 omentum flaps (4%), 2 jejunum flaps, and 2 cutaneous scapular flaps. Indications were orobuccopharynx (34%), hypopharynx (24%), mandible (17%), craniofacial (15%) and skin (10%) defects. Flap failure rate was 9%. Reconstruction of a radiated site was a statistically significant indicator of flap failure. Four types of free flaps were preferred for reconstruction of head and neck cancer defects. The radial forearm flap was used as a lap flap for the orobuccopharynx, the tubuled radial forearm flap for reconstruction of the digestive tract after total pharyngolaryngectomy, the osteomyocutaneous free fibular flap for pelvimandibulectomy, especially for the anterior arch, the latissimus dorsi flap to fill craniofacial defects, and the free omentum flap for craniofacial complications after radiotherapy.     

EVALUATION OF 250 FREE-FLAP RECONSTRUCTIONS AFTER RESECTION OF TUMOURS OF THE HEAD AND NECK

Background : Microvascular free-tissue transfer is now the primary method of reconstruction in many centres. The aim of this study was to evaluate the applications, complications and limitations of free-flap reconstruction in a series of patients with tumours of the head and neck. Methods : This study reviewed prospectively accessioned computerized records in a dedicated head and neck database. Patients treated between 1987 and 1995 with a minimum of a 1-year follow-up were reviewed. There were 242 patients with a mean age of 58 years (172 men and 70 women). The most common tumour sites were oral cavity (42%), oropharynx (32%) and hypopharynx (11%). Mucosal squamous carcinoma accounted for 87% of primary cancers. Results : Among the 250 free flaps, the radial forearm flap (205) and free jejunum (25) predominated. There were 21 episodes of vascular occlusion (8%), failure of 10 flaps (4%) and two patients died perioperatively (0.8%). A second free flap was used in five of 10 cases of flap failure. The fistula rate was 4.4% among 203 patients at risk for this complication, which comprised four of 178 forearm flaps and five of 25 free jejunal grafts. Four of 16 jaw reconstructions failed. Conclusions : A 96% success rate was achieved using free-tissue transfer for head and neck reconstruction. The overall complication rate was low but jaw reconstruction and free jejunal grafts posed the greatest problems because of failure of radial bone and fistulas, respectively. The radial forearm septocutaneous flap was very reliable and remains our mainstay for oral reconstruction.     

Functional outcomes and donor site morbidity following circumferential pharyngoesophageal reconstruction using an anterolateral thigh flap and salivary bypass tube

BACKGROUND: This study reports our experience with fasciocutaneous reconstruction of circumferential pharyngoesophageal defects using an anterolateral thigh flap wrapped around a salivary bypass tube. METHODS: The charts of 14 patients were reviewed. All patients who had reconstruction of a pharyngoesophageal defect using an anterolateral thigh flap with a salivary bypass tube between 2001 and 2005 were included. RESULTS: There were 10 men and 4 women (mean age, 61 years). There were no fistulae reported, and the stricture rate was 14%. Eleven patients achieved oral diet sufficient to have the gastrostomy or jejunal tube removed. The patients who had tracheoesophageal puncture for voice developed functional speech. There were no flap losses. However, problems with salivary tube migration in the early cases have led to technique refinement. CONCLUSIONS: The low complication rates and the excellent functional outcomes make the anterolateral thigh flap in combination with a salivary bypass tube a viable option for reconstruction of these difficult defects.     

Isolated cervical esophageal reconstruction for rare esophageal tumors

BACKGROUND: Isolated defects in the cervical esophagus in patients who have not undergone total laryngectomy are uncommon. We report 2 cases of rare esophageal tumors requiring reconstruction of the cervical esophagus after tumor resection. METHODS AND RESULTS: The patients were a 51-year-old woman with an esophageal granular cell tumor and a 54-year-old woman with an esophageal schwannoma. Both defects were reconstructed with a radial forearm flap. A small subclinical leak developed in 1 patient and healed spontaneously within 2 weeks. At 1 year and 2 years of follow-up, both patients were consuming a normal diet and had normal voices. CONCLUSIONS: A thin and well-vascularized flap such as the radial forearm flap is essential for reconstructing an isolated cervical esophageal defect so as to maximize functional outcome.     

Total reconstruction of the hypopharynx and cervical esophagus

Patients with extensive circumferential tumors of the hypopharynx and those with carcinomas of the cervical esophagus usually require resection of a cylindrical segment of the upper digestive tube. These patients present similar difficulties of reconstruction and also share a very poor prognosis. At times, the same complicated technical effort is required for palliation and definitive cure alike. From 1970 through 1982 at the University of Texas-M.D. Anderson Hospital at Houston, 78 patients underwent complete resection of the hypopharynx (54 patients) or the cervical esophagus (24 patients) for advanced malignant tumors. Seventy-three tumors were squamous cell carcinomas, and the remaining 5 were cancers that originated in the salivary gland. These large tumors were not staged according to the TNM system, since they frequently involved two different anatomic structures and a precise clinical assessment was not always possible. The only criterion for inclusion of patients in this series was the need to replace the entire pharynx or cervical esophagus after removal of the cancer. Of the 78 patients, 64 received their entire treatment at our institution, and of this group, 44 patients had only one surgical procedure. All patients in the series had circumferential resection as the final surgical step at our institution. The types of repair used in this group of patients were a cutaneous flap or graft in 44 patients, a colon bypass in 16 patients, a lateral trapezius musculocutaneous flap in 9 patients, and a pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap in 6 patients. In three additional patients, the reconstruction was initially delayed for various reasons and was ultimately abandoned. Technical considerations and a detailed analysis of the complications and palliative value of each procedure are presented. The merit of these procedures is judged according to the quality and the length of the patient's survival. Although the degree of palliation varies considerably according to the technique used, the survival rates were similar in all cases, the average being 43 percent at 5 years after the first treatment attempt and 27 percent at 5 years after the surgical resection that required a complete circumferential reconstruction.     

Radial forearm free-flap reconstruction following radiotherapy and total laryngectomy

The authors' experience with six patients who underwent radial forearm free-flap reconstruction following radiotherapy and total laryngectomy is presented. All patients had undergone previous irradiation of 57.8 Gy on average as primary treatment for laryngeal cancer. A patch graft of the radial forearm free flap was used for pharyngoesophageal wall reconstruction in three patients, a radial forearm free flap for cervical soft tissue in one patient, and a double-folded radial forearm free flap for simultaneous pharyngoesophageal wall and cervical soft tissue in two patients. The free-flap transfers were successful in all patients. There was one patient who developed a small pharyngocutaneous fistula, which closed spontaneously. The radial forearm free flap is demonstrated to be a versatile technique for reconstruction of a moderate-sized defect in the treatment of laryngeal cancer.     

Vertical island trapezius myocutaneous flap for cervical esophagoplasty: case report and review of the literature

Reconstruction of the cervical esophagus can be fraught with a variety of complications, such as fistula formation or stricture. Additional complicating factors may include local tumor recurrence, failed prior reconstruction, partial or total flap necrosis, and compromised tissues in an irradiated field. Once complications occur, the chance of a successful reconstruction in subsequent operations is greatly reduced. We report a case of a patient who had local tumor recurrence despite chemoradiotherapy necessitating cervical esophagectomy. Reconstruction of the esophagus was initially performed with a tubed anterolateral thigh flap, which was complicated by partial flap necrosis and salivary fistula. Since the patient was elderly and already had a pectoralis flap used in a previous operation, we elected to perform a vertical island trapezius myocutaneous flap as a salvage procedure to restore esophageal continuity. Postoperatively, the patient had no evidence of further fistula and was able to tolerate a regular diet.     

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.     

Comparative Evaluation in Pharyngo-oesophageal Reconstruction: Radial Forearm Flap compared with Jejunal Flap. A 10-year experience

We reviewed 109 consecutive patients with cancer of the hypopharynx or cervical oesophagus who underwent free flap transfer for immediate reconstruction after total pharyngolaryngo-oesophag-ectomy. The free flaps used were either free jejunal (n = 70) or radial forearm flaps (n = 39). Significantly more fistulas (3/70 compared with 15/39, p < 0.0001) and strictures (6/64 compared with 13/33, p = 0.0008) developed in the radial forearm than the jejunal flap group. However, functional donor site morbidity was minimal and there were no cases of total flap necrosis in the forearm flap group. We consider that the free jejunal flap should be the first choice for total reconstruction of pharyngo-oesophageal defects. However, the forearm flap is suitable for elderly, high risk patients, because it is less invasive and has minimal donor site morbidity, which facilitates early recovery.     

Role of the anterolateral thigh flap in head and neck reconstruction: advantages of moderate skin and subcutaneous thickness

Skin-flap thickness is an important consideration when choosing a free flap for head and neck reconstruction. The anterolateral thigh flap, the rectus abdominis flap, and the radial forearm flap, which included the epidermis, the dermal, and the subcutaneous layers, were measured using ultrasonography in 31 patients. The mean skin and subcutaneous thickness of the anterolateral thigh flap was 7.1 mm; the rectus abdominis flap was 13.7 mm; and the radial forearm flap was 2.1 mm. Further analysis revealed a statistically significant difference among the skin and subcutaneous thickness of the three flap groups. Of the 44 anterolateral thigh flap transfers done for head and neck reconstruction after cancer ablative surgery, 41 (93.2 percent) were transferred successfully. The anterolateral thigh flap creates a moderately thick skin flap, and is less variable in thickness across its area than is the rectus abdominis flap. The flap is adaptable for reconstruction of head and neck soft-tissue defects.     

Use of the radial forearm free tissue flap to treat persistent stricture after esophagogastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Persistent stricturing or anastomotic leakage at the cervical esophagogastric anastomosis can be a troublesome complication of gastric pull-up procedures. When the stricture is the result of ischemia of the stomach, the strictures are long and often not responsive to dilatation and require large operations such as jejunal interposition or replacement with colonic pull-up. In this report we describe the use of a radial forearm flap to patch strictures. METHODS: The radial forearm flap is a fascia cutaneous flap taken from the forearm and based on the radial artery and its venae comitantes. The advantages of this flap are that it is thin and pliable, conforms easily, has excellent reliability due to the size of the feeding vessels, and has a relatively long pedicle. The vascular anastomosis can be made to several arteries and veins within the neck. The epithelial component can be made in sizes up to 10 by 20 cm. RESULTS: We have used the radial forearm flap to patch strictures in 6 patients with persistent complex strictures in the cervical region after esophagectomy. Results were excellent in 4 patients (able to eat liquids and solids without problems) and good in 1 patient (liquids okay, some problem with solids), and 1 patient died postoperatively. Follow-up is 4 months to 7 years. CONCLUSIONS: The radial forearm flap is an excellent option for handling persistent stricture after esophagogastrectomy. In many instances, this flap can be used in lieu of a jejunal interposition flap and obviates a laparotomy to harvest jejunum. The flap fits easily into the neck and conforms to the space.     

Complications of free radial forearm flap transfers for head and neck reconstruction.

Free tissue transfer using microvascular anastomosis has been established as an accepted maxillofacial reconstructive procedure. The free radial forearm flap (FRFF) has become a workhorse flap as a means of reconstructing surgical defects in the head and neck region. Since 1992, we have carried out 38 FRFF transfers in 37 patients for reconstruction after head and neck cancer ablative surgery. We present our clinical experience with head and neck reconstruction using the FRFF and the morbidity of the donor sites. Of the 38 FRFFs, 35 FRFFs were performed successfully. The survival rate of FRFF was 92%. Donor site complications included partial loss of skin graft in 4 donor sites (11%), abnormal sensations in 10 (26%), poor appearance in 3 (8%), and reduced grip strength in 4 (11%). Therefore, we believe that, because of the reliability, functional characteristics, and low donor site morbidity, the FRFF is a useful and versatile flap for reconstruction of head and neck defects.     

Free anterolateral thigh flap for reconstruction of head and neck defects: preliminary results and a comparison with the radial forearm flap

BACKGROUND: The authors present their personal preliminary experience with the free anterolateral thigh flap in the reconstruction of head and neck defects and compare these first cases with the radial forearm flaps. METHODS: Seventeen patients undergoing free flap reconstruction between December 1998 and September 2001 have been selected for this retrospective study and evaluated. In fourteeen patients reconstruction was performed with a radial forearm flap. In three patients an anterolateral thigh flap was used. Six dissections on cadavers have also been performed in order to study the anatomical variations of the perforators of the lateral circumflex femoral system. RESULTS: All flaps survived, without any major vascular impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a laborious dissection of the pedicle the anterolateral thigh is a versatile flap, with a minimal morbidity of the donor area. Even if the radial forearm is overall accepted as the gold standard for head and neck reconstruction, the anterolateral thigh flap is suggested as a good and safe surgical option, especially when a large flap is requested or in female patients concerned with the cosmetic result in the forearm donor area.     

Pharyngeal angiosarcoma following multimodal treatment for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

It is well established that angiosarcoma can develop following radiotherapy. We present an unusual case of angiosarcoma of the pharynx that developed three years after treatment with surgery and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy for a T2N2bM0 squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx. The patient was tumour free until developing dysphagia, which was found to be caused by an angiosarcoma. The patient underwent surgery of the pharyngeal angiosarcoma by laryngopharyngectomy, tongue base resection, selective neck dissection and radial forearm microvascular free flap reconstruction. Angiosarcoma following head and neck malignancy is rare but must be considered as part of the differential diagnosis in patients with new symptoms after radiotherapy.     

Analysis of recurrence,complications, and functional results with free jejunal flaps

The medical records of 20 patients undergoing revascularized jejunal flap reconstruction of hypopharyngeal defects were retrospectively reviewed to analyze the incidence of distal marginal recurrence, complication rates, and success of early functional restoration. This report is one of few in the literature to address distal marginal recurrence in patients undergoing jejunal free flap reconstruction of hypopharyngeal defects. In 15 evaluable patients, two (13%) developed distal marginal recurrences. Both patients had tumor involving the hypopharynx at the junction of the cervical esophagus. The major complication rate was five of 20 patients (25%) and included three flap failures, one death, and one intra-abdominal hemorrhage. The minor complication rate was 35%. The median hospital stay was 15.5 days and the median time to successful swallowing was 14.5 days. The functional success rate for swallowing was 58%. Because of the aggressive nature of this disease, we feel partial esophagectomy with jejunal flap reconstruction is warranted to achieve early functional restoration in a select group of patients when a 2-cm distal margin can be obtained above the cervical esophagus with frozen-section control, and the distal esophagus is normal. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Usefulness of color Doppler sonography for assessing hemodynamics of free flaps for head and neck reconstruction

This report focuses on the monitoring of intraoperative and postoperative hemodynamics of free flaps for repair of head and neck defects by color Doppler sonography (CDS). The study group included 20 patients with head and neck cancer who underwent resection and reconstruction with free flaps. The hemodynamics in the feeding arteries of the flaps were measured during the following six stages: before surgery, immediately after microvascular anastomosis, and on postoperative days 1, 3, 5, and 7. The pulsatility index (PI) was used as the index for measuring changes in hemodynamics over time. Grafts showed the maximal PI immediately after vascular anastomosis. PI decreased over 3 to 7 days. Of the 20 patients, 1 patient in whom the hypopharynx was reconstructed with the radial forearm flap developed venous occlusion. This was diagnosed during the early stage using CDS, allowing the flap to be saved. CDS proved to be very useful for real-time observation of the hemodynamics in free flaps.