title: Delayed reconstruction of the upper digestive tract in a patient following total pharyngolaryngectomy with resection of the cervical oesophagus.
abstract: Carcinoma of the hypopharynx is an uncommon disease, with an annual incidence of approximately 1 in 100,000. Post-cricoid carcinoma is more common in women and is not usually associated with tobacco and alcohol abuse. Reconstruction of large pharyngeal defects following surgery for squamous cell carcinoma is complex and often requires microvascular free tissue transfer to achieve the best oncological and functional outcomes. The most common complications of such procedures include fistulas and strictures of the neopharynx. Here, we describe a case of a female patient admitted to the Head and Neck Department at our hospital to undergo delayed reconstruction following pharyngolaryngectomy and removal of the cervical oesophagus. Several complications occurred during post-operative care, including stricture and skin dehiscence. At present, the patient is able to swallow saliva and is currently being prepared to return to a normal diet.
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Poznan University of Medical Sciences Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Garbary 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Mateusz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Szewczyk
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Poznan University of Medical Sciences Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Garbary 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Jakub
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pazdrowski
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Poznan University of Medical Sciences Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Garbary 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland ; Department of Biology and Enviromental Studies, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Dluga 1/2, 61-848 Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Paweł
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Golusiński
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Poznan University of Medical Sciences Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Garbary 15, 61-866 Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Golusiński
keywords: Delayed; Free flap; Head and Neck; Pharyngolaryngectomy; Reconstruction