title: Functional outcomes after laryngopharyngectomy with anterolateral thigh flap reconstruction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We examined speech and swallowing outcomes and complications in patients with anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap reconstruction of cervical esophageal defects.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed 29 patients treated with laryngopharyngectomy and ALT flap reconstruction at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center from March 2002 to July 2004. We compared complication rates, nutritional intake, number of tracheoesophageal punctures (TEPs), speech fluency and use, operative defects, and radiotherapy effects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-two patients had circumferential defects, and seven had partial defects. Twenty-four patients had radiotherapy. Eleven patients underwent TEP. Higher complication rates in patients after TEP compared with those without TEP were not statistically significant (p = .268). Ninety percent of patients with TEP spoke fluently. Ninety percent of all patients returned to oral alimentation without significant effect from TEP (p = 1.00), complications (p = 1.00), radiation therapy (p = 1.00), or surgical defect (p = .56).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ALT flap successfully reconstructs laryngopharyngeal defects with excellent speech and swallowing results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. jlewin@mdanderson.org
authors.forename: Jan S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lewin
authors.forename: Denise A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Barringer
authors.forename: Annette H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: May
authors.forename: Ann M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Gillenwater
authors.forename: Katherine A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Arnold
authors.forename: Dianna B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Peirong
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000601:surgery; D003679:Deglutition; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007012:Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D007825:Laryngectomy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010611:Pharyngectomy; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013060:Speech; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome