Total Pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy Research Articles

A Case of Tracheogastric Puncture Using Transnasal Esophagoscopy After Total Laryngopharyngoesophagectomy and Gastric Pull-Up Reconstruction

Voice rehabilitation after total laryngopharyngoesophagectomy is a significant challenge, especially when accompanied by gastric pull-up reconstruction. In 2021, a study revealed that tracheoesophageal puncture is also safe and feasible option for voice rehabilitation in patients who underwent gastric pull-up surgery. Here, we report for the first time in South Korea a case that represents an instance of voice prosthesis insertion after gastric pull-up surgery. The case demonstrates the feasibility and safety of voice prosthesis insertion in patients who undergo total laryngopharyngoesophagectomy and gastric pull-up surgery, providing evidence that voice prosthesis insertion is achievable and can be performed in the outpatient setting using transnasal esophagoscopy.

577. OUTCOMES OF SIMULTANEOUS RESECTION AND RECONSTRUCTION OF ESOPHAGEAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA SYNCHRONOUSLY ASSOCIATED WITH HEAD AND NECK CANCER

Abstract In 1953, a study by Slaughter et al. on oral cancer proposed that field cancerization is the phenomenon of widespread carcinogenesis across multiple regions due to long-term exposure to common cancer-causing factors. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and head and neck cancer (HNC) share common risks, such as smoking and alcohol consumption, and are often observed synchronously. Therefore, treatment strategies based on tumor stages are important. In our hospital, for synchronous HNC and thoracic ESCC, local resection is indicated if the HNC is ≤T2, and resection with reconstruction is indicated if the HNC is ≥T3, and a one-stage operation for thoracic ESCC and HNC was generally performed. Here, we examined treatment strategies based on the results of simultaneous resection and reconstruction of synchronous thoracic ESCC and HNC in our hospital. A total of 174 patients with esophageal cancer underwent surgery at our hospital between January 2008 and December 2023. Among them, 16 (9%) had 18 lesions of synchronous HNC and nine patients (5%) underwent simultaneous resection and reconstruction. Patients with thoracic ESCC had Ut/Mt/Lt; 1/6/2; T-factor, T1/2/3; 5/2/2; N-factor, N0/1:6/3; and clinical stage, stage I/II; 2/6. For synchronous HNC, hypopharyngeal/oropharyngeal/laryngeal/cervical esophageal cancer; 5/2/1/2; T factor was T2/3/4; 1/6/3; N factor was N0/1/2c/3a/3b; 4/2/2/2/1/1; and clinical stage was stage II/III/IV; 1/5/4. Six patients underwent surgery after preoperative chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. Total pharyngo-laryngo-esophagectomy (TPLE) was performed using a thoracoscopic transthoracic approach in six patients, transhiatal approach in two, and mediastinoscopic approach in one. Regarding reconstruction, a gastric tube was used in nine patients, including eight patients in whom it was interposed with the free jejunal autograft. The median operative time was 929 min (590–1248 min) and median blood loss was 622 mL (213–1764 mL). Only patients with skin valve necrosis underwent reoperation; however, there were no hospital deaths, and the median postoperative hospital stay was 39 days (28–59 days). Recurrence was observed in four cases. All cases were considered to be due to HNC, and three were stage IV cases with advanced lymph node metastasis. Simultaneous resection and reconstruction for synchronous HNC and the thoracic esophagus is a highly invasive treatment that can be performed safely. Recurrence has been observed in advanced cases of HNC, and further development of multidisciplinary treatment, including preoperative chemotherapy, is necessary.

Modified method for tracheoesophageal fistula closure in intractable cases

ObjectiveTracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) is one of the most established methods for voice reacquisition following total laryngectomy. The most difficult complication following TEP is the management of saliva leakage or secretion into the trachea due to TE fistula enlargement. In this study, we devised a new strategy to close TE fistulas and confirmed its safety and effectiveness. MethodsSkin incision: If the tracheal mucosa around the voice prosthesis appears intact and normal, an arcuate incision, from 10 to 2 o'clock, is made on the skin 5 mm superior to the edge of the stoma. However, if the surrounding tracheal mucosa is fragile because of leaking, the incision is made on the superior edge of the stoma, with later reconstruction of the posterior tracheal wall. Separation of the trachea and esophagus: If the esophagotracheal spatium appears normal and is easy to dissect, the connective pipes can be found easily. After cutting the pipe, a ligature alone is sufficient for the tracheal side; however, the esophageal wall is closed with Gambee sutures. If the esophagotracheal spatium is compromised and the posterior tracheal wall is fragile (due to saliva leakage), we remove the posterior wall and reconstruct the area using the superior skin flap. We performed our novel method on four patients with intractable conditions; postradiotherapy for laryngeal cancer, total pharyngo-laryngo-esophagectomy (TPLE) with jejunum reconstruction, TPLE with gastric lifting reconstruction, and in a patient who underwent cervicothoracic incisional drainage for descending necrotizing mediastinitis. ResultsNone of the cases showed postoperative leakage from the fistula, and oral intake was resumed without difficulty. ConclusionThis study showed that this strategy based on TE fistula conditions is effective even in difficult-to-treat cases.

The Ischemic Tolerance up to Four Hours of Free Jejunum Flap: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

While free jejunum transfer (FJT) following total pharyngo-laryngo-esophagectomy (TPLE) is a reliable reconstruction technique, the jejunum flap is viewed as more susceptible to ischemia than a standard free flap. Animal studies have indicated that the jejunum can tolerate ischemia for as little as 2 to 3 hours. Clinical studies also reported increased complications after the FJT with more than 3 hours of ischemia. Traditionally, our institution has carried out FJT with an initial intestinal anastomosis, followed by a vascular anastomosis, which often results in extended jejunal ischemia time. In this study, we retrospectively examined the actual tolerance of the jejunum to ischemia, considering perioperative complications and postoperative dysphagia. We retrospectively studied 402 consecutive cases involving TPLE + FJT. Patients were divided into five groups based on jejunum ischemia time (∼119 minutes, 120∼149 minutes, 150∼179 minutes, 180∼209 minutes, 210 minutes∼), with each variable and result item compared between the groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify independent factors influencing the four results: three perioperative complications (pedicle thrombosis, anastomotic leak, surgical site infection) and dysphagia at 6 months postoperatively. The mean jejunal ischemia time was 164.6 ± 28.4 (90-259) minutes. When comparing groups divided by jejunal ischemia time, we found no significant differences in overall outcomes or complications. Our multivariate analyses indicated that jejunal ischemia time did not impact the three perioperative complications and postoperative dysphagia. In TPLE + FJT, a jejunal ischemia time of up to 4 hours had no effect on perioperative complications or postoperative dysphagia. The TPLE + FJT technique, involving a jejunal anastomosis first followed by vascular anastomosis, benefits from an easier jejunal anastomosis but suffers from a longer jejunal ischemia time. However, we found that ischemia time does not pose significant problems, although we have not evaluated the effects of jejunal ischemia extending beyond 4 hours.

Background Factors Associated with Postoperative Complications in Patients with Advanced Hypopharyngeal Cancers Undergoing Total Pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy Followed by Free Jejunal Flap Reconstruction

AbstractWe retrospectively analyzed background factors associated with postoperative complications in patients with advanced hypopharyngeal cancers who underwent total pharyngolaryngectomy followed by free jejunal flap reconstruction. A total of 23 participants, including 21 men and 2 women aged 49 to 83 years (average 72.3 years) were enrolled in this study. Mild and moderate/severe complications occurred in five and seven cases, respectively. The most common complication was stricture of the esophagojejunal anastomosis (nine cases). Other complications included two tracheostomal stenosis, one each for pneumonia and chyle leakage. The free jejunal flap survived in all cases. The disease-free survival rate was 47.8% at 52 weeks after surgery. The platelet count was significantly lower (18.8 ± 1.9 × 104/mL vs. 27.7 ± 1.8 × 104/mL; p = 0.008) in patients with moderate/severe complications than in those without. The percentage of stage IV cases and intraoperative blood loss tended to be higher in patients with complications than in those without. Knowledge of these potential risk factors for the development of postoperative complications to satisfactorily manage the clinical course of patients with advanced hypopharyngeal cancers is necessary.

The comparison of manual and mechanical anastomosis after total pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy.

Total pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy (TPLE) is considered as a curative treatment for hypopharynx cancer and cervical esophageal carcinomas (HPCECs). Traditional pharyngo-gastric anastomosis is usually performed manually, and postoperative complications are common. The aim of this study was to introduce a new technique for mechanical anastomosis and to evaluate perioperative outcomes and prognosis. From May 1995 to Nov 2021, a series of 75 consecutive patients who received TPLE for a pathological diagnosis of HPCECs at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital were evaluated. Mechanical anastomosis was performed in 28 cases and manual anastomosis was performed in 47 cases. The data from these patients were retrospectively analyzed. The mean age was 57.6 years, and 20% of the patients were female. The rate of anastomotic fistula and wound infection in the mechanical group were significantly lower than that in the manual group. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss and postoperative hospital stays were significantly higher in the manual group than that in the mechanical group. The R0 resection rate and the tumor characteristics were not significantly different between groups. There was no significant difference in overall survival and disease-free survival between the two groups. The mechanical anastomosis technology adopted by this study was shown to be a safer and more effective procedure with similar survival comparable to that of manual anastomosis for the HPCECs patients.

Prognostic impact of the number of metastatic lymph nodes after surgery in locally advanced hypopharyngeal cancer

BackgroundPostoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is a standard therapy for patients with high-risk factors for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, including positive margin and extra-nodal extension (ENE). However, the prognostic impact of the number of pathological metastatic lymph nodes (pLNs) in hypopharyngeal carcinoma (HPC) is unclear. Thus, this study aimed to investigate postoperative prognostic factors for locally advanced hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LA-HPSCC) with a focus on the number of pLNs.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed medical records of 99 consecutive patients with LA-HPSCC who underwent total pharyngo-laryngo-esophagectomy (TPLE) and bilateral neck dissection (ND) between December 2002 and May 2019.ResultsThe median follow-up time for all censored patients was 63.2 months. The median overall survival (OS) was 101.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 48.1–134.9). patients had pLNs ≥ 3. Forty-six (45.5%) patients were diagnosed with ENE. Twenty (20.2%) patients received postoperative CRT. The multivariate analysis revealed that pLNs ≥ 3 (median OS: 163.2 vs. 31.8 months, hazard ratio [HR] 2.39, 95% CI 1.16–4.94, p < 0.01) and ENE (median OS: 161.0 vs. 26.3 months, HR 4.60, 95% CI 2.26–9.36, p < 0.01) were significantly associated with poor prognosis and that postoperative CRT (HR 0.34, 95% CI 0.16–0.72, p < 0.01) was significantly associated with better prognosis. The cumulative incidence of distant metastasis was higher in patients with pLNs ≥ 3 than in those with pLNs < 3 (p < 0.01).ConclusionpLNs ≥ 3 and ENE were significant poor prognostic factors for patients with LA-HPSCC who underwent TPLE and bilateral ND.

623. A NEW PROGNOSTIC EVALUATION OF POSTOPERATIVE ESOPHAGEAL CANCER: LONG-TERM FLAIL INVESTIGATION

Abstract Recurrence-free survival and 5-year survival rates are still commonly used as prognostic indicators for gastrointestinal cancer. We believe that there is a need to find an appropriate index to evaluate changes in health status over time in postoperative patients. We evaluated changes in "frailty" after esophageal cancer surgery using the Kihon Checklist (KCL) developed by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and examined risk factors for worsening health status after surgery. Twenty-four patients (21 thoracoscopic sub-total esophagectomy, 1 mediastinoscopic sub-total esophagectomy, and 2 total laryngopharyngoesophagectomy) who underwent esophageal cancer surgery in our department from December 2019 to April 2021 were included. Patients were asked to write down their KCL before surgery and one year after surgery at an outpatient clinic, and changes over time were checked. We compared the background factors in the "maintain" group (M group) and the "worsened" group (W group), and investigated the risk factors for pre-frail and frail states one year after the surgery. 8 patients worsened from robust to pre-frail to frail and pre-frail to frail, and 16 patients maintained their condition, with 33% of them worsening. Age (M/W: 70/72, p=0.296), male (M/W: 0.88/1.0, p=0.536), BMI (M/W: 22.4/19.6, p=0.142), pStage≥3 (M/W: 0.38/0.38, p=1.0), preoperative chemotherapy (M/W: 0.69/0.63, p=1.0), operative time (M/W: 566/610 minutes, p=0.327), blood loss (M/W: 103/151 ml, p=0.342), postoperative pneumonia (M/W: 0.25/0.25, p=1.0), and cancer recurrence (M/W: 0.19/0.50, p=0.167). The preoperative blood samples were Alb (M/W: 4.3/3.8 g/dl, p=0.046), Hb (M/W: 14.2/12.8 g/dl, p=0.015) and Cre (M/W: 0.85/0.79 mg/dl, p=0.713). At 1 year after esophageal cancer surgery, health worsened and 33% of patients were in a pre-frail or frail state. Risk factors for worsening health were low Alb and low Hb, which were not related to stage or actual age. Further study is needed to clarify risk factors for frailty.

Hypothyroidism After Using Superior Thyroid Artery as A Recipient Artery.

Superior thyroid artery (SThA) is a common recipient artery in free tissue transfer even after total pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy (TPLE) with hemithyroidectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the use of SThA as a recipient vessel affect thyroid function in patients undergoing TPLE with hemithyroidectomy. From 2011 to 2020, 91 patients who underwent free jejunum transfer after TPLE with hemithyroidectomy were divided into two groups. In Group1 (n=47), the contralateral SThA was used for the anastomosis. In Group2 (n=44), other vessels were used. Retrospective chart review was performed comparing postoperative thyroid function between two groups. In group1, 17 patients presented hypothyroidism, 21 presented latent hypothyroidism and 9 presented no thyroid dysfunction comparing 15, 19, and 10 respectively in group 2. There were no significant differences between the two groups. Even after hemithyroidectomy, with inferior thyroid arteries are preserved, the SThA can be used as a recipient vessel. 3 Laryngoscope, 133:557-561, 2023.

Long-Term Survival of Patients After Total Pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy With Gastric Pull-Up Reconstruction for Hypopharyngeal or Laryngeal Cancer Invading Cervical Esophagus.

Hypopharyngeal and laryngeal cancers are aggressive and usually diagnosed at advanced stage with esophagus invasion. Total pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy with gastric pull-up reconstruction has been a common surgery for these cancers but long-term outcomes are still questionable. This study aimed to investigate short-term and long-term outcomes of patients who underwent this surgery. Patients with hypopharyngeal or laryngeal cancer invading cervical esophagus who underwent total pharyngolaryngoesphagectomy with gastric pull-up between 2012 and 2016 was included and followed up until 2021. Short-term outcomes were complications and long-term outcomes were overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Fifty patients were included with a mean age of 60.3 years and 94% were male. Pyriform fossa was the most common primary site of tumor (50%), followed by posterior hypopharyngeal wall (18%) and postcricoid region (18%). Mean operating time, postoperative oral intake and hospital stay was 363.1 ± 43.6 minutes, 8.8 ± 3.6 days and 14.2 ± 3.0 days respectively. Complications occurred in 15 patients (30%) without any in-hospital death. During the follow-up period, 17 patients had recurrence and 35 patients died. Median (95% confidence interval [CI]) OS and DFS time were 30 (21-37) and 30 (19-36) months. Five-year OS and DFS probability (95% CI) were 22.6% (12.8-39.7) and 22.7% (12.9-39.8). Total pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy with gastric pull-up is feasible and safe. However, even with curative surgery and multimodal treatment, advanced pharyngeal or laryngeal cancer with cervical esophagus invasion still has poor survival outcome.

A Prospective Study Comparing Laparoscopic vs. Conventional Stomach Pull Up in Total Pharyngo-Laryngo-Esophagectomy for Post Cricoid Cancer.

The aim of this study is to compare laparoscopic and conventional techniques following Total Pharyngo-laryngo-esophagectomy (TPLE) with respect to perioperative morbidity and mortality and postoperative recovery in post cricoid cancer patients. This is a prospective study, which was undertaken in Gujrat Cancer Research Institute (GCRI) in the period of July 2007 to March 2010. Fifteen consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic TPLE were compared to that of 18 consecutive patients who underwent open TPLE. Laparoscopic and open TPLE procedure were compared with respect to patient characteristics, intra operative and complications present. The average duration was observed to be 3.5 h in the MIS (Minimally Invasive Group) group and was 5.3 h in the open group. The average blood loss was 300 mL in the MIS group and 500 mL in the open group. Average duration of the hospital stay in the MIS group was 13 days and 16 days in the open group. In the MIS group, one patient (6.7%) had a pneumonic complication and two patients (13%) had wound complications. In the open group, six patients (33%) had pneumonic consolidation and four patients (22%) had wound infections. In both groups, one patient each suffered mortality. Laparoscopic TPLE has been found to be much safer with less morbidity as compared with open surgery.

Prospective cohort study of voice outcomes following secondary tracheoesophageal puncture in gastric pull-up reconstruction after total laryngopharyngoesophagectomy

BackgroundGastric pull-up is a reconstructive option for circumferential defects after resection of advanced laryngopharyngeal malignancy. Voice loss is expected and vocal rehabilitation remains a challenge. Our study objectives were to investigate the feasibility of secondary tracheoesophageal puncture following gastric pull-up and to analyze voice outcomes.MethodsThis was a prospective cohort study of patients with advanced laryngopharyngeal malignancies who underwent gastric pull-up and secondary tracheoesophageal puncture between 1988 and 2017 at a tertiary-care academic institution. Objective acoustic measures included fundamental frequency and vocal intensity. Perceptual analysis was performed using voice recordings (“Rainbow Passage”) randomly presented in a blinded fashion to four clinicians using the validated GRBAS scale. Speech intelligibility was assessed in a blinded fashion using a validated 7-point scale. Additionally, the Voice Handicap Index-10 was administered as a validated patient self-reporting tool.ResultsTen patients (7 male, 3 female) were included, all of whom preferentially used tracheoesophageal puncture for communication. These patients had abnormal median fundamental frequency of 250 (interquartile range (IQR) 214–265) Hz and a limited median vocal intensity of 65.8 (IQR 64.1–68.3) dB. Perceptual analysis (GRBAS) revealed a median ‘moderate’ degree of impairment [grade 2 (IQR 2–3), roughness 2 (IQR 2–3), breathiness 3 (IQR 2–3), asthenia 2 (IQR 1–2), strain 2 (IQR 1–2)] as did median intelligibility scores [median 5 (IQR 4–7)]. Most patients self-reported an abnormal voice handicap-10 [median 26.5 (IQR 22.8–35.0)].ConclusionSecondary tracheoesophageal puncture is a safe and feasible option for voice rehabilitation after gastric pull-up. Although analyses demonstrated moderate subjective and objective impairment, tracheoesophageal puncture provided patients with a self-reported means of functional verbal communication and was their preferred method of communication.Graphical abstract

Healing the gap: the evolution of esophageal substitute and quality of life in patients undergoing total pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy with reconstruction

Healing the gap: the evolution of esophageal substitute and quality of life in patients undergoing total pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy with reconstruction

Minocycline-induced black thyroid with black pigmentation of the thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage, and trachea found during reconstructive surgery for hypopharyngeal cancer

Black thyroid is characterized by a rare pigment change observed almost exclusively in patients taking minocycline. We present the case of a 72-year-old man diagnosed with T3N3bM0 stage IVB hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma who had been taking minocycline for approximately 18 months as a treatment for prurigo chronica multiformis. Initial treatment consisted of total pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy, bilateral neck dissection, total thyroidectomy, pharyngeal reconstruction using a free jejunal autograft, and creation of a permanent tracheostoma. During surgery, black discoloration of the thyroid and trachea was observed. Postoperative histological findings confirmed the black discoloration, with deposits of dark-brown, melanin-like granules observed in the thyroid, trachea, thyroid cartilage, and cricoid cartilage. Therefore, the black discoloration of the thyroid associated with the use of minocycline can extend to the thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage, and trachea. This information is important for surgeons to recognize in order to prevent unnecessary resection due to misdiagnosis.

Discussion of Prophylactic Use of the Pectoralis Major Flap to Prevent Anastomotic Leak in the Reconstruction of a Total Laryngopharyngoesophagectomy Defect Combined With Gastric Pull-Up After Chemoradiotherapy.

Total laryngopharyngoesophagectomy defects after surgical ablation for laryngopharyngeal carcinoma with involvement of the cervical esophagus represents a challenge to the reconstructive surgeon. Complicating an already challenging operation is when surgical ablation occurs after failure of primary chemoradiation requiring the surgeon to operate and reconstruct in an irradiated field limiting potential reconstructive options. Due to the advanced stage at diagnosis, some studies have shown that while traditional management with radiotherapy may be considered as an initial treatment modality, often times this has failed to provide sustainable improvement in survival with reported high local recurrence rates. With relatively high local recurrence rates following radiotherapy, movement towards aggressive surgical resection is favored in some institutions. Despite this movement, primary treatment with chemoradiation is still commonly used as a primary modality opening up the opportunity for residual or recurrent disease leading the surgeon to perform salvage surgery to eradicate disease after primary treatment failure. With advanced ablative surgery comes the challenge to find an ideal reconstructive option that will optimize functional outcomes which has shown to be particularly challenging when operating in a post-radiated field with a higher risk for pharyngocutaneous fistulas. The authors present a case where reconstruction of such a defect after local failure with primary chemoradiation was successful using a single stage reconstruction with the gastric pull up technique in combination with a pectoralis major myocutaneous flap. As the risk of anastomotic leak is significantly higher in patients following radiation, this method showed utilizing a prophylactic muscle flap at the time of reconstruction may further bolster the repair and prevent anastomotic leak.

Abstract A42: Total laryngopharyngoesophagectomy with gastric transposition for hypopharyngeal cancer: A tertiary care center experience

Abstract Introduction: With the emergence of organ preservation protocol in head and neck cancer, management of hypopharyngeal carcinoma is generally by nonsurgical approach; however, a significant number of hypopharyngeal cancer patients present in advanced stage and exhibit poor prognosis. For such cases, thorough aggressive surgical excision of laryngopharyngoesophageal complex with appropriate reconstruction might be a viable option. Objective: To evaluate quality-of-life measures and survival outcomes in hypopharyngeal carcinoma cases undergoing above-mentioned procedure at a tertiary health care center. Methodology: A retrospective study on patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma undergoing above-mentioned procedure was done in our tertiary care institute between September 2016 to October 2018. Results: A total of 12 patients were operated during the study period; however, 3 patients were excluded due to inadequate data. In our study, mean age of presentation was 51.3 years and majority were men (n=8). Most of the patients at the time of presentation were stage IVA or more. Postcricoid was most common subsite, followed by pyriform fossa. 4 out of 12 were operated after failed chemoradiation. Perioperative morbidity primarily in terms of complications and duration of hospital stay and quality-of-life measures consisting mainly of swallowing score were analyzed, which suggested that this procedure is tolerable and produces a reliable outcome. Conclusion: Total laryngopharyngoesophagectomy with gastric transposition is a feasible and efficacious treatment option with reasonable quality of life in carcinoma hypopharynx patients, especially after failed chemoradiation. Citation Format: Prerit Rao, K. Devaraja, Kailesh Pujary, Dipak Ranjan Nayak, R. Balakrishnan. Total laryngopharyngoesophagectomy with gastric transposition for hypopharyngeal cancer: A tertiary care center experience [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-AHNS Head and Neck Cancer Conference: Optimizing Survival and Quality of Life through Basic, Clinical, and Translational Research; 2019 Apr 29-30; Austin, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2020;26(12_Suppl_2):Abstract nr A42.

Prophylactic Use of the Pectoralis Major Flap to Prevent Anastomotic Leak in the Reconstruction of a Total Laryngopharyngoesophagectomy Defect Combined With Gastric Pull-Up After Chemoradiotherapy

Total laryngopharyngoesophagectomy defects after surgical ablation for laryngopharyngeal carcinoma with involvement of the cervical esophagus represents a challenge to the reconstructive surgeon. Complicating an already challenging operation is when surgical ablation occurs after failure of primary chemoradiation requiring the surgeon to operate and reconstruct in an irradiated field limiting potential reconstructive options. Due to the advanced stage at diagnosis, some studies have shown that while traditional management with radiotherapy may be considered as an initial treatment modality, often times this has failed to provide sustainable improvement in survival with reported high local recurrence rates. With relatively high local recurrence rates following radiotherapy, movement towards aggressive surgical resection is favored in some institutions. Despite this movement, primary treatment with chemoradiation is still commonly used as a primary modality opening up the opportunity for residual or recurrent disease leading the surgeon to perform salvage surgery to eradicate disease after primary treatment failure. With advanced ablative surgery comes the challenge to find an ideal reconstructive option that will optimize functional outcomes which has shown to be particularly challenging when operating in a post-radiated field with a higher risk for pharyngocutaneous fistulas. The authors present a case where reconstruction of such a defect after local failure with primary chemoradiation was successful using a single stage reconstruction with the gastric pull up technique in combination with a pectoralis major myocutaneous flap. As the risk of anastomotic leak is significantly higher in patients following radiation, this method showed utilizing a prophylactic muscle flap at the time of reconstruction may further bolster the repair and prevent anastomotic leak.

Relationship between the Incidence of Postoperative Fistula or Dysphagia and Resection Style, Gastric Tube Formation, and Irradiation following Free Jejunal Flap Transfer.

Background:The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the incidence of dysphagia or fistula formation in an anastomotic region and factors such as extent of resection, gastric tube formation, and irradiation among patients who underwent free jejunal flap transfer.Methods:We retrospectively examined 100 cases (88 men and 12 women; average age, 65.8 years; range, 46–88 years) in whom the evaluation of postoperative oral intake was possible after undergoing total pharyngo-laryngo-esophagectomy (TPLE) and free jejunal flap transfer. Chi-square test (with Fisher transformation, if necessary) was performed to analyze the relationship among resection styles (the resection margin extended to the oropharynx or to the cervical esophagus and gastric tube elevation), radiation therapy history, and incidence of dysphagia or fistula formation.Results:One hundred patients were analyzed, and complications such as postoperative fistula and dysphagia occurred in 8 (8.0%) and 20 patients (20.0%), respectively. However, no significant correlation was found between various resection factors and fistula formation or adverse events. At the reconstruction site, other complications such as postoperative lymphorrhea (7%), postoperative hematoma (4%), trachea necrosis (4%), cervical flap necrosis (1%), and thyroid necrosis (1%) occurred. These complications were managed by a cervical open wound and additional minor operation as needed.Conclusion:Thus, free jejunal transfer for TPLE is a good reconstruction technique with few complications and postoperative adverse events, regardless of the extent of resection and preoperative radiation therapy.

Role of Total Laryngopharyngoesophagectomy with Gastric Pull Up in the Management of Locally Advanced Hypopharyngeal Cancers.

The current consensus in the management of hypopharyngeal cancers favors the non-surgical management. However, many studies have reported relatively better oncological and functional outcomes with the surgical approach in locallyadvanced hypopharyngeal cancers. In here, we report a tertiary care center's experience with total laryngopharyngoesophagectomy with gastric pull-up done for such cases. We also describe a slight modification of the procedure that has been followed at our institute, and discuss its advantages. It is a retrospective study of patients who have undergone the surgical procedure between the September 2016 and the March 2019. The primary objective was to analyze the surgical complications and the benefits in terms of disease clearance, survival duration, and functional outcomes. Study consisted of 15 patients, mostly men, with mean age of 56years. 12/15 had stage IV disease and 7/15 were failed chemoradiotherapy. Most common complication of surgery was anastomotic failure (33%). Perioperative mortality rate was 13.3%. Higher complicationscould probably be attributed to poor nutrition and tension over the anastomosis. Mean survival duration and disease free interval were 12.1 and 11months, respectively. Oral feeds was restored in 77%, and the average time to restore oral feedswas 17days. Most of our results were comparable with the literature, which supports the surgical excision of larynx-pharynx-esophagus and reconstruction by pull-up, in all those medically fit cases of radio-recurrent/residual tumors, andalso in primary cases oflocally advanced hypopharyngeal cancers with non-functional larynx. In these scenarios, the radicalsurgical treatment wouldatleast serve as palliative if not curative.

Oncologic and Functional Outcomes After Primary and Salvage Laryngopharyngoesophagectomy With Gastric Pull-Up Reconstruction for Locally Advanced Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background/Purpose: Hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) are generally diagnosed in an advanced disease stage. A total laryngopharyngoesophagectomy with gastric pull-up reconstruction is a time tested surgical treatment in our centre for resectable failures or recurrences after primary treatment with organ preservation protocols (radiotherapy or chemoradiation), or as a primary surgical treatment for very advanced hypopharyngeal tumors. We present the results of our approach in terms of success rate, postoperative complications and functional and oncologic outcomes.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of all patients with hypopharyngeal SCC, who underwent laryngopharyngoesophagectomy with gastric pull-up reconstruction during the period 1989–2015.Results: The cohort included 60 patients. Mean follow-up was 32 months. Stage III and stage IV disease was present in 35 and 60% of patients, respectively. Successful reconstruction by intended gastric transposition was possible in 98.3% of cases. The in-hospital mortality rate was 8.3%. Two-year and five-year actuarial overall survival were 39.5 and 21.1%, respectively. Two-year and five-year actuarial disease specific survival were 58.5 and 46.6%, respectively. Two-year and five-year actuarial locoregional recurrence free survival were both 49.5%. A significantly lower locoregional recurrence free survival was observed in patients with pN+ disease compared to pN0 (Log rank, p <0.05). Complete oral intake was achieved in 82.7% of patients. Speech rehabilitation by means of Provox® puncture or electrolarynx was achieved in 66% of patients.Discussion/Conclusion: Total laryngopharyngoesophagectomy with gastric pull-up reconstruction for advanced stage hypopharyngeal SCC combines relatively good oncologic and functional outcomes in a prognostically unfavorable patient group.