The combined use of hyoid bone flap and radial forearm free flap for reconstruction following partial laryngopharyngectomy.

In hypopharyngeal carcinoma, even partial laryngopharyngectomy, results in functional disorders involving swallowing and speaking. We reconstructed partial defects following partial laryngopharyngectomy using a combined flap of a hyoid bone flap and radial forearm free flap. Before ablative surgery, we prepared an ipsilateral hyoid bone as a bone flap with sternohyoidal muscle. Then a radial forearm free flap was prepared simultaneously with tumor surgery. Thereafter, we reconstructed the epiglottis and pyriform recess using the combined flap. We successfully reconstructed 7 patients suffering from squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx. The tracheostoma in all patients could be closed. Six patients could swallow without dysphagia within 48 days. This is the first report of the successful combined use of a hyoid bone flap and radial forearm free flap for hypopharyngeal carcinoma.