[Clinical application of modified bilobed chimeric thoracoacromial artery perforator flap for reconstruction of hypopharyngeal defect with anterior neck skin loss].

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of modified bilobed chimeric thoracoacromial artery perforator (TAAP) flap for the reconstruction of hypopharyngeal defect with anterior neck skin loss.

Methods

Between May 2013 and September 2015, modified bilobed chimeric TAAP flap was used to reconstruct complex oncologic hypopharyngeal defects in 7 patients, including 6 males and 1 female. Patients' age ranged from 28 to 65 years old (mean age 50±3.4 years old). The size of hypopharyngeal defect ranged from 5.5 cm×3.5 cm to 12.0 cm×4.5 cm, and the size of anterior neck defect ranged from 8.0 cm×4.0 cm to 10.0 cm×4.0 cm.

Results

The size of TAAP flap was from 6.5 cm×4.0 cm to 13.0 cm×5.0 cm.The size of pectoralis major flap was from 8.0 cm×4.5 cm to 11.0 cm×5.0 cm. The length of pedicle was 6.5-8.5 cm.The distance from pivot point of flap to central point of recipient site was 7.0-9.5 cm.All flaps survived thoroughly, the donor site was closed directly in all cases.The mean hospital stay ranged from 14 to 19 days (mean 15.5 days). The follow-up was 14, 15, 20, 18, 30, 25 and 38 months respectively.Patient possessed good appearance of neck surgical sites, and oral diet was restored in all patients.No recurrence, fistula, stenosis/stricture, dehiscence, or swelling occurred, only with scars left on the donor sites, and pectoralis major muscle function was completely preserved in all patients.

Conclusions

Modified bilobed chimeric TAAP flap is a good choice for the reconstruction of hypopharyngeal defect with anterior neck skin loss.