The rectus abdominis musculoperitoneal (RAMP) flap for the reconstruction of complicated pharyngoesophageal defects.
In the advanced stage of hypopharyngeal cancer, extensive resection may sometimes leave both the cervical soft tissue and pharyngoesophageal defects that must be reconstructed at the same time. In this study, a new reconstructive method using the rectus abdominis musculoperitoneal flap is described. Three patients underwent pharyngoesophageal reconstruction by this method. Complete survival of the flaps was seen in all patients, but one patient developed a fistula due to rapid local recurrence of the tumour. We believe that the rectus abdominis musculoperitoneal flap can be an alternative choice for reconstruction of pharyngoesophageal defect, especially when there is a large area of cervical soft tissue defect at the same time.
Jinming
Zhang
Z
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, 107 Yan-jiang Road W, Guangzhou, China. zxmrwk@yahoo.com.cn
Xiaoxuan
Chen
C
Jieren
Peng
P
Shujuan
Pan
P
D000368:Aged; D004947:Esophagus / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D007825:Laryngectomy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000601:surgery; D010614:Pharynx / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D017568:Rectus Abdominis / Q000637:transplantation*; D013524:Surgical Flaps