Postoperative Management after Total Pharyngolaryngectomy Using the Free Ileocolon Flap: A 5-Year Surgical Intensive Care Unit Experience

Oscar J. Manrique*, M. Diya Sabbagh, Trishul Kapoor, Pedro Ciudad, Hung Chi Chen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction Management after total pharyngolaryngectomy with free ileocolon flaps can be challenging. Adequate postoperative surgical guidelines are essential to avoid complications. Factors, such as agitation, hypotension, or prolonged mechanical ventilation, might compromise final outcomes. Herein, we describe our experience in the early postoperative care of patients after total pharyngolaryngectomy with immediate reconstruction using the free ileocolon flap. Methods This is a retrospective review of all patients who underwent total pharyngolaryngectomy and immediate reconstruction using the free Ileocolon flap. Demographics, etiology of resection, neoadjuvant therapy, surgical time, method of sedation, postoperative use of vasopressors, length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, time of discontinuation of mechanical ventilation, and complications were recorded and analyzed. Results Between 2010 and 2015, a total of 34 patients underwent total pharyngolaryngectomy and immediate reconstruction using the free Ileocolon flap. The most common cause of total pharyngolaryngectomy was cancer. Twenty-eight patients had neoadjuvant therapy (radiation). The average surgical time was 11.5 hours (range, 8-14.5 hours), average length of ICU stay was 3 days (range, 2-15 days) with an average time for mechanical ventilation cessation of 3 days (range, 1-20 days). Midazolam and dexmedetomidine were the most common sedatives used during surgery and in the ICU period. Three patients required vasopressors due to hypotension, 2 had unplanned self-extubation from the tracheostomy site, 2 experienced postoperative bleeding, 1 had pneumonia, 4 required unplanned return to the operating room, 2 had partial flap loss, and 1 had complete flap loss. Conclusions Overall, a majority of patients recovered well postoperatively with minimal complications and low rate of reoperation. Our research provides a foundation to develop a risk-stratified approach to determine the need for an ICU admission or early transfer to floor care.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)68-72
Number of pages5
JournalAnnals of Plastic Surgery
Volume84
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 01 01 2020
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • bowel flaps
  • head and neck
  • intensive care unit
  • microvascular reconstruction
  • pharyngolaryngectomy

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