Functional outcome following free ileocolic flap in total pharyngolaryngectomy.
CONCLUSIONS
Reconstruction after radical resection for advanced laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer can be carried out with low mortality, acceptable morbidity, and a promising functional outcome.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the functional outcome of reconstruction by a free vascularized ileocolic flap after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) and surgery for advanced laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer.


METHODS
Fifteen patients (all male, mean age 49.8 years) with squamous cell carcinoma of larynx (n=1) or hypopharynx (n=14) received a circumferential pharyngolaryngectomy and resection of the proximal esophagus followed by postoperative CCRT (60-65 Gy, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil). A single-stage reconstruction was performed with a free vascularized ileocolic flap using a microsurgical technique.


RESULTS
The course of all operations was uneventful. Eight patients were alive at a follow-up of 24 months after operation, while seven patients died from local recurrence, distant metastasis, and suicide. Relief of dysphagia was achieved in 14 cases. Speech intelligibility was recorded in five patients.
Leu
Yi-Shing
YS
Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. ken.v8@msa.hinet.net
Huang
Chih-Ming
CM
Yang
Cheng-Chien
CC
Hsiao
Hung-Tao
HT
Chang
Yuan-Ching
YC
D000328:Adult; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D003679:Deglutition; 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; D013065:Speech Intelligibility; D013524:Surgical Flaps