Abstract
Nineteen cases of hypopharyngeal and cervical esophageal cancer treated primarily with laryngopharyngoesophagectomy and gastric pull-up reconstruction are presented. Thirteen patients received radiotherapy preoperatively, and 4 patients postoperatively.
The perioperative morbidity rate was 47% (cutaneous fistula: 21%), reflux: 21%, pyloric stenosis: 11%, but most of the complications were minor. There were no fatal intrathoracic and mediastinal complications.
The mean time to oral intake was 26 days and the mean length of hospitalization was 110 days.
Although 4 patients had neck nodal recurrences, two of them were salvaged and the others died of intercurrent diseases. Five patients suffered distant relapses that were fatal. No patient had local recurrence. The 5-year survival rate of the hypopharyngeal group and cervical esophagus group was 46% and 49% respectively.
Gastric pull-up reconstruction is a safe and effective technique for patients with extensive carcinoma of the hypopharynx and cervical esophagus.
