• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.57-63
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• 2008

Hypopharyngeal perforation secondary to tracheal intubation is rare, but may result in severe airway complications that include retropharyngeal abscess, pneumothorax, pneumonia, mediastinitis and death. The most common site of hypopharyngeal perforation is the pyriform sinus and the region of the cricopharyngeus muscle. We report a 62-year old man with intubation-induced hypopharyngeal injury presenting as deep neck infection. The patient presented with dyspnea and pain on the neck. Neck CT scan identified fluid and air collection on the neck from the hyoid bone to the thoracic inlet level. Despite of delayed diagnosis, we successfully operated him by using strap muscle myofascial transposition flap. The patient was followed up for 3 months without any complications.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.28 no.10
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• pp.935-938
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• 1995

Two cases of severe caustic injury of the hypopharynx, esophagus, and stomach are presented. Restoration of digestive continuity was accomplished by retrosternal isoperistaltic interposition of the transverse and left colon on the post-injury 73rd and 66th day respectively. The upper oro-colon continuity was made by a cervical approach, a vertical incision at the posterior hypopharyngeal wall, and interrupted one-layer sutures using 3-0 Dacron suture materials. The distal continuity was made by colojejunostomy between the transposed colon and proximal jejunum. There was no event after the operation in both cases. The posterior vertical hypopharyngotomy and hypopharyngocolostomy at the early post-injury period may be the preferred procedure to obtain normal deglutition in patients with esophageal stricture associated with hypopharyngeal injury.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.406-411
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• 2010

Objective : Esophageal/hypopharyngeal injury can be a disastrous complication of anterior cervical surgery. The amount of hypopharyngeal wall exposure within the surgical field has not been studied. The objective of this study is to evaluate the chance of hypopharyngeal wall exposure by measuring the amount of axial rotation of the thyroid cartilage (ARTC) and posterior projection of the hypopharynx (PPH). Methods : The study was prospectively designed using intraoperative ultrasonography. We measured the amount of ARTC in 27 cases. The amount of posterior projection of the hypopharynx (PPH) also was measured on pre-operative CT and compared at three different levels; the superior border of the thyroid cartilage (SBTC), cricoarytenoid joint and tip of inferior horn of the thyroid cartilage (TIHTC). The presence of air density was also checked on the same levels. Results : The angle of ARTC ranged from $-6.9^{\circ}$ to $29.7^{\circ}$, with no statistical difference between the upper and lower cervical group. The amount of PPH was increased caudally. Air densities were observed in 26 cases at the SBTC, but none at the TIHTC. Conclusion : Within the confines of the thyroid cartilage, surgeons are required to pay more attention to the status of hypopharynx/esophagus near the inferior horn of the thyroid cartilage. The hypopharynx/esophagus at the TIHTC is more likely to be exposed than at the upper and middle part of the thyroid cartilage, which may increase the risk of injury by pressure. Surgeons should be aware of the fact that the visceral component at C6-T1 surgeries also rotates as much as when the thyroid cartilage is engaged with a retractor. The esophagus at lower cervical levels warrants more careful retraction because it is not protected by the thyroid cartilage.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.75-78
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• 2014

Hypopharyngeal perforation is a rare, but fatal, complication. Clinical signs and symptoms of this condition are neck pain, odynophagia, dysphagia, fever, vomiting, cervical swelling and subcutaneous emphysema. However, these signs are obscured in patient suffering from severe trauma who has had an endotracheal tube inserted, which delay proper evaluation and treatment. Here, we report a case of hypopharyngeal perforation in a trauma patient who had an endotracheal tube inserted for mechanical ventilation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.183-187
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• 1992

Reconstructive surgery for corrosive esophageal stricture was performed in 392 patients at National Medical Center from 1959 to 1990 Between Jan. 1971 and Dec. 1990, 23 cases were experienced stenotic anastoma of neck after reconstructive surgery for corrosive esophageal stricture. The major procedure of esophageal reconstruction was colon interposition without resection of the strictured esophagus except jejunal interposition in 1 case. There were 12 males % 11 females, and mean age was forty years. The caustic materials were 16[70%] alkali and 7[30%] acid. Half of the cases had hypopharyngeal injury. After reconstructed surgery, dysphagia was developed immediate in 65%, from 2 months to 5 months in 31%, and from years in 4%[1 case]. The complications were anastomatic leakage in 13 cases, anastomatic stenosis in 8 cases, graft gangrene in 1 case, and cancer development in 1 case. The therapeutic procedures were end-to-end anstomolis & partial resection of stenotic anastoma in 18 cases, bourgination in 2 cases, and coin interposition with graft removal in 3 cases. The therapeutic results were excellent in 16 cases, mild discomfort in 3 cases, poor in 3 cases, and death in 1 cases.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.48-54
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• 1997

Between 1987 and 1995, eleven patients with severe chronic corrosive stenosis of the hypopharynx and esophagus underwent surgical restoration of digestive continuity at Inje University Seoul Palk Hospital. There were 7 male and 4 female patients aged from 21 to 47 years (mean, 34 years). The caustic material was acid in 6 patients and alkali in 5 patients. The esophagus was reconstructed using the right colon In 9 and left colon in 2. The cervical approach and the side of proximal anastomosis depended on the status of the pyriform slnus of the hypopharynx. In the neck, J-formed incision was made along the sternocleidomastoid muscle. The sternohyoid and thyrohyoid muscles were divided transversely to expose the thyroid cartilage. Hypopharyngeal opening for proximal anastomosis was made by reverse triangular formed resection of the thyroid cartilage after elevation of perichondrium. Immediately after operation, dysphagia and aspiration into trachea were common, so training of swallowing was required. Feeding gastrostomy was usually maintained for 3 months until restoration of swallowing function was confirmed . There was graft necrosis in 3 patients, who were treated with jejunal free graft. Revisional procedures for stenosis of cervical anastomosis in B patients consisted of widening of pharyngocecostomy site in 2 and resection of adhesive band in one. Return of normal swallowing assuring normal nutrition was obtained in 10 of 11 cases.