title: Fasciocutaneous free flap reconstruction for squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine functional and surgical outcomes after fasciocutaneous free flap reconstruction of the hypopharynx. A retrospective review of the records of 48 consecutive patients that underwent hypopharyngectomy and reconstruction using fasciocutaneous free flaps between 1996 and 2009 was performed. Flap donor sites included the radial forearm (n = 42), anterolateral thigh (n = 5), and lateral thigh (n = 1). There was no perioperative mortality, and the free flap survival rate was 95.8%. Five (10.4%) patients developed a postoperative pharyngocutaneous fistula. In three (6.3%) patients a stricture developed during the postoperative period. Forty-four (92%) patients were decannulated and maintained their voice. Forty-four (92%) patients were able to take oral nutrition, although 4 (8%) needed additional PEG-tube feeding. Five-year overall and disease-specific survival rates were 56 and 61%, respectively. Functional reconstruction of extensive laryngohypopharyngeal defects can be achieved using fasciocutaneous free flaps with favorable functional and surgical results.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology-HNS, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seocho-gu Panpo-dong 505, Seoul 137-040, Korea.
authors: Young-Hoon
authors: YH
authors: Joo
authors: Dong-Il
authors: DI
authors: Sun
authors: Kwang-Jae
authors: KJ
authors: Cho
authors: Jun-Ook
authors: JO
authors: Park
authors: Min-Sik
authors: MS
authors: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D007012:Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D007013:Hypopharynx / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D037981:Neck Dissection; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods