Reconstruction of pharyngeal defects with a submental island flap after hypopharyngeal carcinoma ablation

Wen Hung Wang*, Tzer Zen Hwang, Chia Hao Chang, Yen Chun Lin

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the oncologic and functional results of pharyngeal defect reconstruction using a submental island flap in hypopharyngeal cancer patients. Methods: Functional and oncologic results were assessed in 14 patients based on a retrospective chart review. Speech function grading was as follows: 1 = excellent (>70% intelligibility); 2 = good (40-70% intelligibility), and 3 = poor (<40% intelligibility). Swallowing function score was stratified as 1 = full diet (excellent), 2 = soft diet (excellent-good), 3 = liquid diet (good), 4 = combined oral and gastric tube (good-poor), and 5 = gastric tube-dependent (poor). Results: All flaps survived well. Salivary fistula with infection was found in 1 patient and treated conservatively. The mean length of hospitalization, and speech and swallowing scores according to laryngeal invasion in 11 patients after partial pharyngectomy were 21.63 ± 4.31 versus 11 ± 2.00 (p = 0.003), 2.38 ± 0.5 versus 1.67 ± 1.16 (p = 0.18) and 3.88 ± 0.84 versus 3.33 ± 1.53 (p = 0.46), respectively. Speech and swallowing returned to good-excellent in 63.6% and good in 45.5% of patients after surgery. Conclusions: The submental island flap is reliable for reconstructing laryngopharyngeal defects after ablation of hypopharyngeal cancer. Speech and swallowing are restored to good function in half of the patients. Laryngeal involvement of the cancer is predictive of longer hospitalization.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)304-309
Number of pages6
JournalORL
Volume74
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 02 2013

Keywords

  • Hypopharyngeal cancer
  • Pharyngeal defect
  • Reconstruction
  • Submental island flap

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