Reconstruction of Hypopharynx and Cervical Esophagus : Choice of Flap

하인두 및 경부식도 결손의 재건 : 재건술의 선택

Background and Objectives: Various flaps are using for reconstruction of hypopharyngeal and esophageal defect. However, complication and indication of each flap are not fully analyzed. Patient and Methods: Records of 52 hypopharyngeal cancer patients who had surgical treatment and 13 other head and neck cancer patients who underwent hypopharyngeal and/or esophageal reconstruction with flap were retrospectively analyzed. Eighty three percent(54 cases) of patients needed reconstruction other than primary pharyngeal closure. Five split thickness skin graft, 1 pectoralis major myocutaneous flap, 20 forearm free flap, 13 jejunal free flap, 15 gastric pull up were used. Result: Flap failure was noted in 2 cases who had subsequent gastric transposition. Wound dehiscence and fistula were most common problem of forearm free flap. Most fistulas were developed in patients with conduit type reconstruction of forearm flap while there wasn't any fistula in patient with patch type reconstruction. Stenosis of lower anastomosis was the frequent problem of jejunal transfer. Gastric pull-up has frequent com-plication of stomal stenosis. All but three patients had reached oral feeding postoperatively. Conclusion: Based on this study, forearm flap is effective in partial hypopharyngeal defect while jejunum is the choice for circumferential defect. Gastric pull-up is for combined esophageal defect.