A case report of hypopharyngeal carcinoma repaired by pharyngoesophageal reconstruction with an anterolateral thigh free flap

Abstract

The free jejunum (FJ) has been used for pharyngoesophageal reconstruction of the cervical esophagus following total pharyngolaryngo-cervical esophagectomy (TPLE). We experienced a case in which the cervical esophagus was reconstructed using an anterior lateral thigh (ALT) flap. In our case, there were no severe complications after surgery, and the oral ingestion was good. An ALT flap for pharyngoesophageal reconstruction has been reported to have drawbacks, such as hair development in the flap, keratin deposits, and the risk of skin flap cancer occurrence. However, the rate of perioperative complications, such as postoperative cervical fistula formation, do not differ markedly from that with FJ, and furthermore, ALT flap is considered to have higher a probability of post-operative phonation acquisition. We herein report our experience, including a literature review.