Studies on Pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy Followed by Reconstruction with Free Jejunal Autograft for Hypopharyngeal and Cervical Esophageal Carcinoma

Abstract

Nineteen patients with hypopharyngeal and cervical esophageal carcinoma underwent pharyngolaryngoesophagecotmy with free jejunal autograft reconstruction. Postoperative complications included anastomotic leakage in 1 patient (5.3%), wound infection in 3 patients (15.8%) and intussusception in 3 patients (15.8%). Postoperatively, all patients were able to maintain adequate nutrition by oral intake. Eight of 19 patients died of the carcinoma, local recurrence in 4 patients, pulmonary metastases in 2 patients and brain metastases in 2 patients. Five-year survival rate was 27.2%. No patient, in whom the intrathoracic and intraabdominal lymph node dissection was not done, experienced a recurrence. Pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy is acceptable treatment for carcinoma localized in the hypopharynx and/or cervical esophagus without detectable intrathoracic or intraabdominal lymph node involvement. Free jejunal autograft is an excellent technique for reconstruction in such patients.