Free jejunal graft for hypopharyngeal and esophageal reconstruction

Abstract

This study assessed the techniques of the free jejunal graft for the reconstruction of hypopharynx or cervical esophagus and discussed the main aspects related to those procedures. By using free jejunal grafts, we reconstructed 54 hypopharyngeal and cervical esophageal cancers. In this study, 23 out of 54 patients had a malignant tumor located in the hypopharynx and 31 in the cervical esophagus (27 primary cases and four secondary cases). Despite the multi-step and time-consuming procedure, we did not incur any trans-operative complication. Furthermore, we undertook the larynx preserving cervical esophagectomy and free jejunal graft reconstruction in six patients with cervical esophageal cancer, and those patients acquired a good quality of life. For the reconstruction of hypopharynx or cervical esophagus, the free jejunal graft is a very useful technique and improves the patient's quality of life.