OBJECTIVETo review the experience of different surgical construction methods for hypopharyngeal cancer with cervical esophageal invasion.

METHODSFrom 1989 to 2000,forty-eight patients with advanced hypopharyngeal cancer and cervical esophageal invasion were retrospectively reviewed, including 38 males and 10 females. The median age was 54. 3 years old, ranged from 26 to 71 years old. According to UICC 1997 criteria, all the tumors were T4 stage and originated from the pyriform sinus (33), posterior pharyngeal wall (14), postcricoid area (1), there were 28 patients in cN0, 15 in cN1, 5 in cN2 and no distant metastasis. Precise preoperative evaluation was performed with computed tomography scan, barium swallow perspective and biopsy. All the patients received modified neck dissection, including both unilateral (38 patients) and bilateral (10 patients). Pharyngoesophageal defect reconstruction methods were: laryngotracheal flap in 11 patients, pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap in 13, laryngotracheal flap combined with pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap in 6, pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap combined with the split graft in 10, stomach pulling-up in 3, colon interposition in 5 patients. Total laryngectomy was carried out in 8 patients. All patients received radiotherapy postoperatively (dose 55 - 75 Gy).

RESULTSThe cervical lymph node metastasis was found in 20 patients. Pathologic findings showed that well, moderately and lower differentiated squamous cell carcinomas were 18, 24, 6 cases, respectively. The overall 3 and 5 year survival rates were 52.1% (25/48) and 27.3% (12/44), respectively. The 3 and 5 year survival rates in functionally preserved group were 65.2% (15/23) and 33.3% (7/21), while in non functionally preserved group were 40.0% (10/25) and 21.7% (5/23), respectively. Fifteen patients laryngeal functions (voice, respiration and deglutition) were completely restored and 8 patients partially restored (voice and deglutition). The decannulation rate was 65% (15/23). The complication included pharyngeal fistulas in 10 cases and splitting of chest wall in 1 cases.

CONCLUSIONSCombined therapy was the best choice for hypopharyngeal cancer with cervical esophageal invasion. The laryngeal function is preserved as far as possible. The continuity of the pharyngoesophagus was restored by pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap, laryngotracheal flap, or combined with the split graft. Stomach transposition or colon interposition was used while the defect of the esophagus was greater.