Free Jejunal Graft for Reconstruction of Defects in the Hypopharynx and Cervical Esophagus Following the Cancer Resections

• DOI: 10.1007/s11605-009-0877-8
• Publication Date: 2009-03-31T00:43:37Z
• Authors: Dean Zhao; Xingqiang Gao; Limei Guan; Wenling Su; Jing Gao; Cunshan Liu; Xianyang Luo; Xiaoyan Li
• Keywords: Adult; Graft Rejection; Male; Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms; Esophageal Neoplasms; Graft Survival; Middle Aged; Plastic Surgery Procedures; 3. Good health; Cohort Studies; Esophagectomy; 03 medical and health sciences; Jejunum; 0302 clinical medicine; Pharyngectomy; Esophagoplasty; Quality of Life; Humans; Female; Aged; Follow-Up Studies; Neoplasm Staging; Retrospective Studies

The reconstruction of esophagus defects after hypopharyngeal and cervical esophageal carcinoma resection is an ongoing problem. The objective of this article was to investigate the techniques of the free jejunal graft for the reconstruction of hypopharyngeal and cervical esophagus and discuss the outcome related to the procedures.From July of 2005 to December 2007, seven patients with hypopharyngeal and cervical esophageal cancer underwent free jejunal graft reconstruction of the hypopharyngeal and cervical esophagus. Their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. All patients received postoperative radiotherapy and were followed up for 7-24 months.Despite the multistep and time-consuming procedure, free jejunal graft survival was 100%. Operation-induced complications did not occur in six patients. One patient developed pharyngeal fistula.The present experience supports the use of free jejunal grafts in reconstruction of the hypopharyngeal and cervical esophagus defects after exenteration of the central compartment of the neck. A high successful rate with low incidence of complications in reconstruction of the hypopharyngeal and cervical esophagus was obtained in this study.