Abstract
Aim
The purpose of this presentation is to review our experience and evaluate our results in the treatment of patients with pharyngoesophageal fistula after laryngectomy and radiotherapy.
Background & Methods
10 patients were examined at the head and neck combined oncology clinic after previous laryngectomy and radiotherapy and pharyngocutaneous fistula with weakness to feed food as well frequent aspiration pneumonia. The interval between the effect of the laryngectomy varies between 3-5 years depending on the severity of the symptomatology and after the complete failure of the conservative methods of reconstruction.
Reconstruction was performed with musculocutaneous major pectoral flap in 8 patients, radial forearm flap and anterolateral thigh flap.
Results
The postoperative period was uncomplicated, and in all patients the feeding was held after barium swallow test, after 7-15 days with soft food. The gold standard treatment of pharyngoesophageal fistula after laryngectomy and radiotherapy is the musculocutaneous major pectoral flap and in severe radionecrosis of the neck with free tissue flap reconstruction.
Conclusion
Reconstruction with microsurgical techniques offer improved prognosis and quality of life of our patients.
Functional assessment: Free thin anterolateral thigh flap versus free radial forearm reconstruction for hemiglossectomy defects
