title: Reconstruction of long cervical esophageal defects with the radial forearm flap.
abstract: The radial forearm flap has been used for reconstruction of the cervical esophagus most often as a patch or for circumferential repair of short defects (less than 5 cm). In the following three cases, the radial forearm flap was used to reconstruct circumferential cervical esophageal defects ranging from 5 to 12 mm in length. These procedures were successfully carried out in three patients in whom the intraoperative defect was unexpectedly large or the intra-abdominal viscera harvest would have been difficult. These patients had reliable esophageal function 8 to 24 months after surgery. We conclude that the radial forearm flap can be used for reconstruction of large circumferential defects of the cervical esophagus.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, 39216, USA.
authors.forename: Frank L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Stile
authors.forename: Vipul
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sud
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Michael F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Angel
authors.forename: Vinod
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Anand
authors.forename: William C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Lineaweaver
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D002342:Carotid Artery, External / Q000601:surgery; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004944:Esophagoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005542:Forearm / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007012:Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D007601:Jugular Veins / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017534:Radial Artery / Q000601:surgery; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*