• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.198-204
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• 2001

Background and Objectives: As the laryngopharyngeal cancer is usually found at a advanced stage, it is difficult to get a wide surgical margin that preserves functional aspect and that is oncologically safe simultaneously. There were many operative technique to fulfill this principle, but none were satisfactory. Recently there were some reports about glottic and pharyngeal reconstruction using radial forearm free flap(RFFF) with palmaris longus tendon, which provided satisfactory oncologic and functional results. We attempted to perform this technique and to test usefulness at patients of laterally localized laryngopharyngeal tumor. Materials and Methods: Three patients were reconstructed glottis and pharynx using radial forearm free flap with palmaris longus tendon. Two hypopharyngeal cancer (T2N0M0) patients were performed wide vertical hemilaryngopharyngectomy and one supraglottic cancer(T2N0M0) patient was performed horizontovertical laryngopharyngectomy. Deglutitional function was evaluated with modified barium swallow and speech function was evaluated by speech pathologist. Results: Mean follow-up time was 29.3 months. There were no cancer recurrence. Their speech was satisfy-actory at social communication and oral feeding. They all have a complete oral nutrition from 26 days to 53 days. Decanulation time was from 71 days to 30 months. Conclusion: Glottic and pharyngeal reconstruction with radial forearm free flap could be accepted as a promising technique which offers a wide resection margin but satisfactory functional result in lateralized laryngohypopharyngeal cancer patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.140-147
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• 1994

Reconstruction of the pharynx and cervical esophagus presents a tremendous challenges to surgeons. Over the past 2 years[1990, Dec.-1993, Jun], the free jejunal graft has been performed in 17 cases in Korea Cancer Center Hospital.The indications of this procedures were almost malignant neoplasms involving neck and upper aero-digestive tract; Hypopharyngeal cancer[12 cases, including 2 recurrent cases], laryngeal cancer[2 cases], thyroid cancer[2 cases, including 1 recurrent case], cervical esophageal cancer[1 case]. There were fifteen men and two women, and the mean age was 59.6 years. The anastomosis site of jejunal artery were common carotid artery[16 cases] or external carotid artery[1 case] and that of jejunal vein were internal jegular [15 cases] or facial[1 case] and superior thyroid vein[1 case]. The length of jejunal graft was from 9 cm to 17 cm[mean 13 cm] and the mean ischemic time was 68 minutes. There was one hospital mortality which was irrelevant to procedures[variceal bleeding] and one graft failure[1/16]. Other postoperative complications were neck bleeding or hematoma[3 cases], abdominal wound infection or disruption[5 cases], anastomosis site leakage[1 case], pneumonia[2 cases], graft vein thrombosis[1 case], and food aspiration[1 case]. The function of conduit was excellent and ingestion of food was possible in nearly all cases. Postoperative adjuvant radiation therapy was also applicable without problem in 7 cases. During follow-up periods, the anastomosis site stenosis developed in four patients, and the tracheal stoma was narrowed in one case but easily overcome with dilation. In conclusion, we think that the free jejunal graft is one of the excellent reconstruction methods of upper digestive tract, especially after radical resection of malignant neoplasm in neck with a high success rate and low mortality and morbidity rate.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.38-43
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• 2000

The reconstruction for the pharynx and cervical esophagus after wide resection in essential procedures and the several methods have the reported. Each method has advantages and disadvantages relatively. Five cases of free jejunal graft were analyzed retrospectively for the reconstruction of pharynx and cervical esophagus at Chungbuk National University Hospital from May 1996 through December 1998. Primary sites were one oropharyngeal cancer, three hypopharyngeal cancers and one subglottic cancer involved the cervical esophagus. Two grafts had necrosis. Postoperative minor complications were dysphagia, fistula, stricture of anastomosis site, and pneumonia in the order. There were not possible voice rehabilitation in three success cases.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.43-51
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• 1998

Background： Three-dementional imaging with spiral CT(3D spiral CT) is a well established imaging modality which has been investigated in various clinical settings. However the 3D spiral CT in upper airway disease is rarely reported and its results are still obscure. Objectives： To access the usefulness of 3D spiral CT imaging in patients with upper airway diseases. Materials and Methods We performed 3D spiral CT in fourteen patients In whom upper airway diseases were clinically suspected. Nine of these patients had upper airway stenosis, two had laryngeal cartilage fracture, and three had laryngo-hypopharyngeal cancer. For evaluation of location and extent of the lesions, we compared the findings of 3D imaging with those of air tracheogram, conventional 2D CT images, endoscopic and operative findings. Results： In case of stenosis, 3D spiral CT provide significant useful information, particularly the site and length of the stenotic segment. But, it was difficult to define the fracture of the laryngeal framework and to detect the cartilagenous invasion by head and neck cancer using the 3D imaging. Conclusion : The 3D spiral CT was an useful adjunctive method to assess some kind of upper airway disease but not in others. So, we should compare the findings of 3D images with those of other diagnostic tools for accurate diagnosis of the upper airway disease.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 1996

Reconstruction for hypopharynx and cervical esophagus after wide resection of extensive hypopharynx and larynx cancers have been used various methods including myocutaneous flaps, gastric pull up, md jejunal or large bowel free graft. Recently, the authors had experienced hypopharynx and larynx cancers with extension to the posterior hypopharyngeal wall and thoracic esophagus. Of course, these reconstructive methods should be selected in accordance with the patient's age, physical status, extend of prim.:W lesion, and defect after on block resection, however, gastric pull up was performed in hypopharynx cancer which had skipped lesion in the thoracic esophagus and jejunal free grafts were performed in case 2, 3 which had a extended lesions to the posterior pharyngeal wall. Some complications were noted, which were successfully stabilized by conservative managements. The gastric pull up and jejunal free graft were considered suitable methods for reconstrunction of hypopharynx and cervical esophagus, however, further studies are necessary about it.

• 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.55 no.2
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• pp.168-170
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• 2022

A 58-year-old female patient was diagnosed with hypopharyngeal cancer with extension to the invasion of the upper esophagus. After 2 cycles of durvalumab as neoadjuvant therapy, total laryngo-esophagectomy using a single-port (SP) system via a subcostal incision was done. The operation was completed within 41 minutes, and the patient recovered without esophagectomy-related complications. The patient received total laryngectomy and esophagectomy using a robotic SP system via a 3-cm-long subcostal incision and gastric pull-up under laparotomy. During the postoperative period, the patient suffered from anastomotic leakage, but recovered with vacuum therapy. Here, we report the first successful human case of esophagectomy using an SP system.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.43-46
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• 2008

Hypophayngeal cancers are usually diagnosed in advanced stages and in many cases, they need total pharyngocervical esophagectomy and surgical reconstruction. Among many surgical reconstructive methods, jejunal free flap has anatomical and functional advantages such as tubed nature, peristaltic activity, excellent blood supply. In this study we analysed the surgical procedure and complications of jejunal free flap after total pharyngo-cervical esophagectomy. 20 cases performed jejunal free flap from 1995 to 2007 at Severance Hospital were reviewed. According to time of onset, early and late complications were reviewed. Surgical procedure was reviewed with operation record. Oral diet tolerance was reviewed on the basis of pharyngogram and subjective symptoms. The most common complication was stricture, and it occurred in 40% of cases and 63% of them were managed with conservative care. As early complication, fistula formation was all managed with conservative care. Oral feeding tolerance after jejunal free flap was 65% and 7 patients were tolerable to general diet. In our study, stricture was the most common complication and its management is important in post op oral diet tolerance.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 2005

Wide vertical hemilaryngopharyngectomy with immediate glottic and pharyngeal reconstruction using a radial forearm free flap is reported in 1991 by Chantrain et al. This procedure was designed for the preservation of healthy hemilarynx and resection of pharynx with safe oncological margin in especially piriform sinus cancer or supraglottic cancer invading the hypopharynx. In the original paper, they used palmaris longus tendon for reconstruction of neoglottis. In other groups, they used rib cartilage instead of palmaris longus tendon. In this paper, we report two cases of piriform sinus cancer patients who treated with wide vertical hemilaryngectomy with radial forearm free flap reconstruction. In one case, the operation was performed as Chantrain et al described. But in another case, the ipsilateral forearm was impossible due to the positive Allen's test. So the contralateral forearm flap and rib cartilage graft was done. This reconstructive technique make large resection possible. As the dissection of thyroid cartilage and lateral displacement makes direct visualization and manipulation of piriform sinus lesions, sufficient resection margin in lateral and inferior pharyngeal wall cab be obtained.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.92-100
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• 2006

Radial forearm free flap (RFFF) has been established itself as a versatile and widely used method for reconstruction of the head and neck, although it is still criticized for high mortality of donor site. Delayed wound healing, cosmetic deformity, vascular compromise and potentially reduced wrist function have many plastic surgeons hesitate to adapt it as a first choice in micro-reconstruction. To overcome these drawbacks, some techniques for donor-site repair such as V-Y advancement with full thickness skin graft (FTSG), application of artificial dermis ($Terudermis^{(R)}$) or acellular dermal matrix ($AlloDerm^{(R)}$), and double-opposing rhomboid transposition flap have been reported. Authors performed 4 cases of RFFF in old-aged patients of the head and neck cancer from April 2005 to February 2006. We compared the outcomes of donor site of RFFF which were resurfaced with split thickness skin graft (STSG) only and STSG overlying an $AlloDerm^{(R)}$. Patients were all males ranging from 59 to 74 years old (mean, 67.5). Three of them had tongue cancers, and the other showed hypopharyngeal cancer. All cases were pathologically confirmed as squamous cell carcinomas. We included the deep fascia into the flap, so called subfascially elevated RFFF in three cases, and in the other one, we dissected the RFFF suprafascially leaving the fascia intact. The donor site of the suprafascially elevated RFFF was resurfaced with STSG only. Among three of subfascially elevated RFFFs, donor-sites were covered with thin STSG only in one case, and STSG overlying $AlloDerm^{(R)}$ in two cases. All RFFFs were survived completely without any complication. The donor site of the suprafascially elevated RFFF was taken well with STSG only. But, the partial graft loss exposing brachioradialis and flexor carpi radialis muscle was unavoidable in all the subfascially elevated RFFFs irregardless of $AlloDerm^{(R)}$ application. Considering that many patients of the head and neck cancer are in old ages, we believe the RFFF is still a useful and versatile choice for resurfacing the head and neck region after cancer ablation. Its reliability and functional characteristics could override its criticism for donor site in old-aged cancer patients.