[Submental island flaps for reconstruction of hypopharyngeal non-circumferential defects after hypopharyngeal carcinoma removal].

OBJECTIVE

To study the feasibility, surgical techniques, and results of submental island flaps for reconstruction of hypopharyngeal non-circumferential defects.

METHODS

A retrospective review of the archives was performed on 16 patients (6 males, 10 females, aged 41-78 years) who suffered from hypopharyngeal cancer. From August 1998 to August 2002, the patients underwent a partial removal of the hypopharynx and reconstruction by submental island flaps. Their hypopharyngeal carcinomas belonged to squamous carcinoma. Of the 16 patients (2 in UICC clinical stage I , 11 in m , 3 in IV ), 9 had their pathological origin in the pyriform sinus, 4 in the posterior pharyngeal wall, and 3 in the postcricoid. The flap area ranged from 8. 0 cm x 4. 5 cm to 5. 0 cm x 3. 0 cm.

RESULTS

The follow-up for 3-7 years showed that the submental island flaps healed well in all patients with a success rate of 100%. The swallowing function returned to normal 10-14 days after operation without complications of salivary fistula and infection. The 3-year and 5-year survival rates were 68. 8% (11/16) and 62. 5% (5/8), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Submental island flaps are convenient for reconstruction of hypopharyngeal non-circumferential defects, and they are safe and reliable, too.