title: Free jejunal graft for reconstruction of defects in the hypopharynx and cervical esophagus following the cancer resections.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The reconstruction of esophagus defects after hypopharyngeal and cervical esophageal carcinoma resection is an ongoing problem. The objective of this article was to investigate the techniques of the free jejunal graft for the reconstruction of hypopharyngeal and cervical esophagus and discuss the outcome related to the procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  From July of 2005 to December 2007, seven patients with hypopharyngeal and cervical esophageal cancer underwent free jejunal graft reconstruction of the hypopharyngeal and cervical esophagus. Their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. All patients received postoperative radiotherapy and were followed up for 7-24 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Despite the multistep and time-consuming procedure, free jejunal graft survival was 100%. Operation-induced complications did not occur in six patients. One patient developed pharyngeal fistula.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present experience supports the use of free jejunal grafts in reconstruction of the hypopharyngeal and cervical esophagus defects after exenteration of the central compartment of the neck. A high successful rate with low incidence of complications in reconstruction of the hypopharyngeal and cervical esophagus was obtained in this study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Xiamen First Hospital Affiliated Fujian Medical College, 55 Zhenhai Road, Xiamen City, Fujian Province, 361003, China.
authors.forename: Dean
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Xingqiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Limei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guan
authors.forename: Wenling
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Cunshan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Xianyang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Xiaoyan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li