Gastro-omental free flap in the reconstruction of the unfavourable hypopharyngeal defects: a functional assessment.
BACKGROUND
Reconstruction flaps following major head and neck cancer surgery should consider the state of tissue at the recipient site. This study presents the cumulative experience of the use of the gastro-omental free flap (GOFF) for pharyngeal reconstruction in cases with unfavourable recipient site conditions.


METHODS
The GOFF reconstruction procedure and postoperative follow-up are described in details, and the functional results are analysed retrospectively.


RESULTS
Fifteen patients underwent GOFF reconstruction. Previous treatments included radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery. Postoperatively, two patients (13%) developed partial flap necrosis, and four (27%) patients developed fistula and flap stenosis. On the functional level, eight (53%) patients developed oesophageal speech at different levels of audibility, and all patients developed oral alimentation ranging from a mixed diet with supplements to a regular oral diet.


CONCLUSIONS
The GOFF is characterised by multiple survival advantages that favour its use in the presence of inhospitable recipient site conditions.
Chahine
Karim A
KA
Department of ENT-HNS, University Medical Center of Grenoble, Grenoble, France.
Chaffanjon
Philippe
P
Bettega
Georges
G
Lebeau
Jacques
J
Reyt
Emile
E
Righini
Christian A
CA
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D007012:Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009852:Omentum / Q000637:transplantation*; D010611:Pharyngectomy / Q000379:methods; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D011788:Quality of Life; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013071:Speech, Alaryngeal; D013270:Stomach / Q000637:transplantation*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome