Clinical practice of repair of large tracheal defects with local tension free flaps

Abstract

Objective: To investigate a simple and practical method for the repair of large tracheal defects. Methods: From April 2015 to October 2017, 10 patients with large tracheal wall defects after thyroid carcinoma underwent two phase repair with cervical tension free flap with modified design. In the longitudinal direction of the leakage, design two pieces of random flap outside the top angle of 45°, respectively, and the side turn double flip flap to repair the leak, outward and upward forming tension, avoid collapse after healing. Results: Large tracheal wall defects in 10 cases were successfully repaired, and normal respiration and language functions were recovered quickly.With following-up of 6-30 months(the medran was 12 months), the airway kept normal ventilation, no recurrence, and 1 patient with pulmonary metastasis had a stable condition. Conclusion: The modified tension free flap can be used for the repair of large defects of trachea with a good efficacy.