PURPOSE: The jejunal free flap is the most standard and reliable procedure of reconstruction of the circumferential pharyngoesophageal defect because it provides pliable, elastic, secreting mucosa and posses reliable vascular anatomy. In this report, the authors introduce the modification of jejunal free flap for decreasing the complications in fatty complicated patients. METHOD: After harvesting the jejunum with mesentery and mesenteric vessels, both ends of jejunum were excised remaining the mesenteric portion. The jejunal portion of this composite flap was placed to reconstruct esophagopharyngeal defect area and the mesenteric portion was used to obliterate the dead space at paratracheal region and to cover the vital structure and the vascular anastomotic region. RESULT: A 72 year-old man with recurrent hypopharyngeal cancer who had about 15cm sized circumferential pharyngoesophageal defect after total pharyngectomy was reconstructed with jejunomesenteric composite free flap without any complications. CONCLUSION: The mesenteric flaps at both side of jejunomesenteric composite free flap provide the advantages that could obliterate dead space, that could provide cover for the vital cervical vascular structure in case of vascularity was compromised due to previous radiation therapy, and that could preserve as much vascularity at both ends of jejunal flap as possible.
Free Tissue Flaps ; Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms ; Jejunum ; Mesentery ; Mucous Membrane ; Pharyngectomy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pharyngocutaneous fistula is a common serious complication following laryngectomy and pharyngectomy. However, the etiology or predisposing factors of pharyngocutaneous fistula are still unclear. The authors investigated variable predisposing factors related to pharyngocutaneous fistula by reviewing medical records. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Two hundred ninety six of 340 cases who had been performed laryngeal and hypopharyngeal surgery were investigated. Forty nine of 296 cases (15.6%) developed pharyngocutaneous fistula. We analyzed clinical parameters such as age, gender, primary site, radiotherapy, interval between radiotherapy and surgery, neck dissection, DM (diabetes mellitus), preoperative albumin, hemoglobin etc. RESULTS: Reconstruction on surgery and peroperative albumin concentration were statistically significant factors associated with pharyngocutaneous fistula (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Pharyngocutaneous fistula may be preventable by correcting the predisposing factors.
Causality ; Fistula* ; Laryngectomy ; Medical Records ; Neck Dissection ; Pharyngectomy ; Radiotherapy

One lung ventilation with a double-lumen endotracheal tube or Univent tube may be achieved difficultly or dangerously in some patient such as young age, anatomic anomaly, low body weight and tracheostomy patient. Bronchial blocker with a Fogarty catheter has been used successfully for such situations. Here, we reported the clinical experience in using a Fogarty embolectomy catheter as a bronchial blocker in patient with tracheostomy after pharyngectomy and laryngectomy. The patient was received left upper lobectomy with thoracotomy due to metastatic lung cancer.
Body Weight ; Catheters* ; Embolectomy ; Humans ; Laryngectomy* ; Lung Neoplasms ; One-Lung Ventilation* ; Pharyngectomy* ; Thoracotomy ; Tracheostomy*

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the oncologic and functional results of larynx-preserving partial pharyngectomy (LPP) via lateral pharyngotomy approach as a primary treatment for small (T1 or T2) hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC). METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 23 patients who underwent LPP through lateral pharyngotomy approach for small HPSCC at the our department between January 1991 and June 2007. Fourteen (61%) patients had adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy. RESULTS: The 2-years and 5-years disease specific survival rate was 77% and 61%, respectively. Nine patients (39%) had tumor recurrence. The most common pattern of recurrence was isolated distant failure (n=4, 44%) followed by local (n=2, 22%) and loco-regional (n=3, 34%) recurrence. The ultimate cure rate of the primary tumor was 87% (20 of 23). Twenty-two of the 23 patients (95%) could be decannulated, tolerate an oral diet, and had acceptable postoperative phonatory function. CONCLUSION: LPP via lateral pharyngotomy approach appears to be a feasible procedure for selected small HPSCC patients in terms of both oncologic and functional outcomes.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Diet ; Humans ; Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms ; Pharyngectomy ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the oncologic and functional results of larynx-preserving partial pharyngectomy (LPP) via lateral pharyngotomy approach as a primary treatment for small (T1 or T2) hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC). METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 23 patients who underwent LPP through lateral pharyngotomy approach for small HPSCC at the our department between January 1991 and June 2007. Fourteen (61%) patients had adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy. RESULTS: The 2-years and 5-years disease specific survival rate was 77% and 61%, respectively. Nine patients (39%) had tumor recurrence. The most common pattern of recurrence was isolated distant failure (n=4, 44%) followed by local (n=2, 22%) and loco-regional (n=3, 34%) recurrence. The ultimate cure rate of the primary tumor was 87% (20 of 23). Twenty-two of the 23 patients (95%) could be decannulated, tolerate an oral diet, and had acceptable postoperative phonatory function. CONCLUSION: LPP via lateral pharyngotomy approach appears to be a feasible procedure for selected small HPSCC patients in terms of both oncologic and functional outcomes.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Diet ; Humans ; Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms ; Pharyngectomy ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo explore the substantial resection limits of CO2 laser surgery for hypopharynx and the course of wound healing in animals, for the purpose of evaluating the clinic usefulness of transoral CO2 laser surgery in the treatment of selected hypopharyngeal carcinomas.

METHODSTwenty-three dogs were randomly assigned to two groups. Group one (11 dogs) received left piriform sinus resection, group two (12 dogs) received the resection of posterior wall of the hypopharynx. Six dogs in group one were killed immediately or 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 d post-operatively. Seven dogs in group two were killed immediately or 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42 d post-operatively. The whole larynx and hypopharynx were taken out and the specimens were examined by naked eyes and under microscope. The other 5 dogs in each group were fed until the wound healed, the duration were observed.

RESULTSAll the operations were successful and the results were satisfactory. In group one, the dogs could take food the day after operation; two dogs had slight cough during eating and recovered after five days. In group two, the dogs could take food the next day after operation, eight dogs had slight cough during eating and recovered after ten days. The excision dimension was satisfactory. In group one (resection of the lateral wall of piriform sinus), the size of raw surface was (7.5 +/- 0.8) cm2 (x +/- s) and the healing time was (18.4 +/- 1.5) d. In group two (resection of the posterior wall of the hypopharynx), the wound surface was (7.0 +/- 0.5) cm2 and the healing time was (39.8 +/- 1.9) d. The healing time in group two was significantly longer than that in group one (t = 19.535, P <0. 01). The post-operative healing process were observed, including cellulose membrane coverage, granulation filling and epithelization.

CONCLUSIONSTransoral CO2 laser was suitable for partial hypopharynx resection. Animals can recuperate well with little complications. Although the course of wound healing was delayed, wound surface can recover with good laryngeal and deglutition functions.

Animals ; Dogs ; Endoscopy ; Hypopharynx ; surgery ; Laser Therapy ; Lasers, Gas ; Pharyngectomy ; methods

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We evaluated treatment outcomes of patients with advanced hypopharyngeal cancer for whom surgical salvage was attempted after primary concomitant chemoradiation therapy (CRT) had failed as a treatment. The pre-salvage factors were assess-ed to predict the prognosis of salvage surgery. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: A retrospective analysis was conducted from 1997 to 2006 for 22 patients with stage III-IV hypopharyngeal cancer who had undergone salvage surgery after local and/or regional CRT failures with no distant metastasis. RESULTS: Larynx-sacrificing pharyngectomy was performed in 12 (54.5%) of all patients. Postoperative complications occurred in 9 (40.9%), and carotid artery blowout occurred in two of these patients. After salvage surgery, the 2-year and 5-year overall survival rates were 52.8% and 28.9%, respectively. The 2-year disease specific survival rate and locoregional control rate were 45.5% and 60.0%, respectively. The initial N2-3 stage (p=0.038) and the concurrent local and regional failures (p=0.035) were independent predictors for decreased survival after salvage surgery. Two-year overall survival rates for patients with 2, 1, or none of these predictive factors were 23.3%, 66.7%, and 80.0%, respectively (p=0.027). CONCLUSION: Although salvage surgery after CRT has postoperative complications and unfavorable larynx preservation, it can be considered as a viable option with acceptable oncologic outcomes for advanced hypopharyngeal cancer. The initial N2-3 stage and concurrent local and regional failures were independent predictors that can stratify patients into distinct prognostic groups for postsalvage survival.
Carotid Arteries ; Humans ; Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms ; Larynx ; Pharyngectomy ; Postoperative Complications ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Salvage Therapy ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Failure

OBJECTIVETo study the feasibility, surgical technique and results of laryngeal function preservation in surgical treatment for medial wall pyriform sinus cancer.

METHODSFrom 1992 to 1999, 31 patients with medial wall pyriform sinus cancer including stage I 1, II 4, III 14 and IV 12 lesions were treated. Partial resection of pyriform sinus and partial laryngectomy were performed, then, the remains of epiglottis and uni-pedicled sternohyoid myofascial flap were used to restore the defects of larynx. At last, the remaining hypopharyngeal mucosa was sutured to cover the wound of hypopharynx and for artificial rebuild-up. All patients received postoperative radiotherapy.

RESULTSThe 3- and 5-year survival rates were 62.1% and 43.6% respectively, with 77.4% patients having laryngeal functions (voice, respiration and deglutition) completely restored and 32.6% partially restored (voice and deglutition).

CONCLUSIONConservative surgery so introduced is feasible for selected medial wall pyriform sinus cancer patients with the lesion completely resected.

Adult ; Aged ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms ; mortality ; surgery ; Laryngectomy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pharyngectomy ; methods

OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility of laryngeal function preservation in surgical treatment of hypopharyngeal carcinoma with restrained vocal cord motility.

METHODSTwenty-six cases of hypopharyngeal carcinoma treated with conservative hypopharyngectomy were retrospectively analyzed. Partial resection of pyriform sinus and partial laryngectomy were performed. Suturing the remaining hypopharyngeal mucosa was used to cove the wound of hypopharynx in 5 cases, epiglottis complex flap in 21 cases. All patients received postoperative radiotherapy.

RESULTSThe overall 3- and 5-year survival rates were 61.4% and 50.8% respectively. 76.9% (20/26) patients have laryngeal functions (voice, respiration and deglutition) completely restored and 23.1% (6/26) partially restored (voice and deglutition).

CONCLUSIONSTo improve the quality of life of the cases, the preservative surgery is feasible for the selected hypopharyngeal carcinoma cases with restrained vocal cord motility.

Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms ; complications ; surgery ; Laryngectomy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Movement Disorders ; complications ; Pharyngectomy ; Retrospective Studies ; Vocal Cords ; physiopathology

PURPOSE: Various attempts of reconstruction for pharyngoesophageal defects after ablative surgery have been made to restore the function of the pharyngoesophagus. A fabricated tubed radial forearm free flap or free jejunal free flap was used when the width of remnant pharyngeal wall was less than 50% of the normal width. However there are many disadvantages such as stricture, saliva leakage and fistula formation on tubed radial forearm free flap. The jejunal free flap has the problem such as short pedicle, poor tolerance of ischemic time, wet voice and delayed transit of swallowed food due to the uncoordinated contraction. The authors studied the utility of patch-type radial forearm free flap using the remnant posterior pharyngeal wall of the hypopharynx. METHODS: Retrospective reviews in Severance Hospital were made on 25 patients who underwent reconstruction surgery with patched radial forearm free flap because of the hypopharyngeal cancer between 1996 and 2005. The patients of Group I had the narrow posterior pharyngeal wall and its width was less than 3centimeters after the tumor was resected. Those of Group II had the partial pharyngectomy and the width of the remnant pharynx was larger than 3centimeters. RESULTS: Seven patients belonged to the group I and the flap of this group had 100% survival rate. One case of fistula and no swallowing discomfort due to stricture was reported. The Group II including 18 patients also had the 100% flap survival rate. Neither fistula nor stricture was seen but the lower diet grade was checked. CONCLUSION: The patch type radial forearm free flap using the remnant pharyngeal wall have the advantage of the radial forearm free flap, and furthermore this flap is the safe reconstructive method even if the width of the remnant pharyngeal wall is less than 30% of that of normal pharynx.
Constriction, Pathologic ; Deglutition ; Diet ; Fistula ; Forearm* ; Free Tissue Flaps* ; Humans ; Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms* ; Hypopharynx ; Pharyngectomy ; Pharynx ; Retrospective Studies ; Saliva ; Survival Rate ; Voice