title: Cricotracheal reconstruction with free radial forearm flap and titanium mesh.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Reconstruction after partial cricotracheal resection is technically demanding and is seldom reported in literature. The purpose of this study was to report a technique of reconstruction of such a defect with a radial forearm flap supported by a titanium mesh.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 75-year-old man who was diagnosed with a case of papillary carcinoma thyroid, underwent excision of the tumor with a partial cricotracheal resection. The defect was reconstructed with a free radial forearm flap with fascia suspended on a titanium mesh.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At a follow-up of 6 months after treatment, the patient has normal nasal breathing and an acceptable voice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This reconstructive technique enabled us to maintain the integrity of the subglottic airway. Our technique was unique in that we used the skin-lined part of the radial forearm flap to line the airway and the fascia to cover the titanium mesh outside, thereby preventing plate exposure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Deepak
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Balasubramanian
authors.forename: Krishnakumar
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Thankappan
authors.forename: Sharankumar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shetty
authors.forename: Kiran
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jayaprasad
authors.forename: Jimmy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mathew
authors.forename: Subramania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iyer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000601:surgery; D003413:Cricoid Cartilage / Q000601:surgery*; D005205:Fascia / Q000637:transplantation*; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D014025:Titanium; D014132:Trachea / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D014025:Titanium