One-stage reconstruction of a tracheal defect with a free radial forearm flap and free costal cartilage grafts.
Reconstructing the trachea is challenging because of its multilayer structure and airway function; multiple procedures are often required. We report a case of one-stage reconstruction for a tracheal defect. The surgery was performed with a free radial forearm flap and free costal cartilage grafts. Air leakage occurred postoperatively but healed without additional surgery. The reconstructed trachea has retained its shape, diameter and airway function for 14 months despite the patient's history of radiotherapy. This one-stage procedure with well-vascularised tissue was successfully used to reconstruct a stable, well-functioning trachea.
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital East, 6-5-1, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8577, Japan. Electronic address: yfukunag@east.ncc.go.jp.
Yutaka
Y
Fukunaga
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital East, 6-5-1, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8577, Japan; Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital, 5-1-1, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan.
Minoru
M
Sakuraba
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital, 5-1-1, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan.
Shimpei
S
Miyamoto
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital, 5-1-1, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan.
Shuji
S
Kayano
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital, 5-1-1, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan.
Koreyuki
K
Kurosawa
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital East, 6-5-1, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8577, Japan.
Masahide
M
Fujiki
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital, 5-1-1, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan.
Masanobu
M
Sakisaka
Department of Head and Neck Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital, 5-1-1, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan.
Seiichi
S
Yoshimoto
D000328:Adult; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002356:Cartilage / Q000637:transplantation*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005542:Forearm / Q000601:surgery; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps / Q000098:blood supply / Q000637:transplantation*; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012272:Ribs / Q000601:surgery; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014134:Tracheal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014140:Tracheotomy / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Costal cartilage; Free radial forearm flap; Microsurgery; Tracheal defect; Tracheal reconstruction