title: Combined buccal mucosa island and sternohyoid flaps: a new technique of hemilaryngeal reconstruction studied in a canine model.
abstract: No single method of reconstruction has proven ideal for all patients with defects following vertical hemilaryngectomy. In this report, we detail a new technique for hemilaryngeal reconstruction involving the use of a pedicled buccal mucosa island flap supplied by the facial artery and vein. The buccal flap was used to resurface a transversely oriented sternohyoid myofascial flap. The reconstructive outcome was analyzed in 4 animals, 3 of which survived the early postoperative period. Videoendoscopy and stroboscopy were performed to analyze the laryngeal configuration and vibration. Each subject was decannulated and had a competent airway free of aspiration. After sacrifice of the animals, whole organ axial sections were made at multiple levels. Endoscopic and histologic findings documented that this technique produced an appropriate neocord position. Laryngeal stroboscopy in each animal showed bilateral mucosal traveling waves, with entrainment of the reconstructed neocord mucosa and native vocal cord mucosa. We conclude that the layered reconstructive technique described, compared to traditional methods of reconstruction, more closely replicates the structure of the excised tissue in hemilaryngeal reconstruction, potentially resulting in an improved voice outcome.
authors.affiliation: Division of Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine, 90095, USA.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Andrews
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Blackwell
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Berke
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Calcaterra
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Sercarz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology; D004285:Dogs; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D007830:Larynx / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D012009:Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve / Q000502:physiology; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply