[Clinical application of supraclavicular flap for oncologic reconstruction of hypopharynx and upper esophagus].

Objective

To assess the efficacy of supraclavicular artery island flap (SCAIF) for the reconstruction of hypopharynx and upper esophagus.

Methods

The SCAIF procedure on was used in 10 patients, including 8 with hypopharygeal carcinomas, 1 with esophageal carcinoma and neck skin invasion and 1 with hypopharyngeal leiomyosarcoma, at the Otorhinolaryngology Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yatsen University between December 2015 and June 2017. The sizes of the flaps were measured in (4-8) cm×(5-12) cm. Clinical indexes such as harvesting time and survival were recorded.

Results

Harvesting time for SCAIF ranged from 20 to 30 minutes, averaging 26 minutes. Nine flaps survived, one flap had partially necrosis. Functional outcomes were excellent and the donor sites were direct closed without complications.

Conclusions

SCAIF is a versatile, reliable, and easily harvested flap, with good cosmetic and functional outcomes for reconstructing the defects of hypopharynx and upper esophagus.