title: Functional Outcome Analysis After Anterolateral Thigh Flap Reconstruction of Pharyngoesophageal Defect.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pharyngoesophageal defects are traditionally reconstructed with jejunal or radial forearm flaps. Recently, anterolateral thigh flaps have served for pharyngoesophageal reconstruction. We tell of our experience with anterolateral thigh flap for the reconstruction of pharyngoesophageal defect for the past 5 years. This study presents another modified flap design and refinement of surgical techniques.
  
  
  METHODS
  In all, 45 pharyngoesophageal reconstructions were performed during 2006 to 2011, namely patch (n = 18), near-circumferential (n = 8), and circumferential defect (n = 19) reconstructed by 2 plastic surgeons with the same trapezoid anterolateral thigh flap design.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total flap loss occurred in 2 patients (4%). Two patients experienced partial flap necrosis. Fistulas occurred in 8 patients, but only 5 of these needed further suture ligation or local flap treatment. Postoperative strictures without tumor recurrence were identified in 4 patients (9%). Forty patients (88.9%) could tolerate oral diet; 34 of these ate soft or solid food.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Anterolateral thigh flap offers good coverage and swallowing function in the reconstruction of hypopharyngeal defect. Trapezoid drawing of anterolateral thigh flap makes the design simplified, with an accepted complication rate.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, China Medical University Hospital China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Tsung-Chun
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Yung-Chang
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Hung-Chi
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Sophia Chia-Ning
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Hsin-Han
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016629:Esophagectomy; D004947:Esophagus / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps / Q000637:transplantation*; D006801:Humans; D007013:Hypopharynx / Q000601:surgery; D007825:Laryngectomy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010611:Pharyngectomy; D010614:Pharynx / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013848:Thigh / Q000601:surgery*