title: Free posterior tibial flap reconstruction for hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this article was to determine outcomes in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx (SCCHP) in whom the free posterior tibial flap was used for primary reconstruction of hypopharynx defects after cancer resection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between August 2009 and February 2012, 10 patients with SCCHP underwent posterior tibial flap reconstruction for hypopharynx defects. The corresponding clinical data were retrospectively collected and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Despite the multistep and time-consuming procedure, the posterior tibial flap survival rate was 100%. Operation-induced complications did not occur in four patients. Six patients developed postoperative hypoproteinemia, four patients developed postoperative pulmonary infections, and four patients developed pharyngeal fistula. The pharyngeal and laryngeal functions of all patients were preserved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our experience demonstrates that the posterior tibial flap is a safe and reliable choice for the reconstruction of hypopharynx defects.
authors.forename: Fei
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Lihong
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lv
authors.forename: Yuanzhi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, the University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA. gli@mdanderson.org.
authors.forename: Guojun
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hongliang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Xiaofeng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Tao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps; D006801:Humans; D007012:Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010611:Pharyngectomy; D011379:Prognosis; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013977:Tibia / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*