Simultaneous restoration of voice function and digestive tract continuity in patients with synchronous primaries of hypopharynx and thoracic esophagus with pedicled ileocolon flap

BackgroundDefects involving hypopharynx, cervical, and thoracic esophagus are challenging to reconstruct, and the available procedures usually leave patients voiceless. We describe our experience with a modified pedicled ileocolon flap for the reconstruction of alimentary conduit and voice in patients undergoing hypopharyngo-laryngectomy and total esophagectomy.MethodsBetween January 1995 and December 2008, 7 patients underwent reconstruction of the digestive tract and voice function with a pedicled ileocolon flap because of extensive defects involving larynx, hyphopharynx, cervical, and thoracic esophagus. Patient's charts were reviewed and appropriate clinical data were evaluated.ResultsAll patients were male with a mean age of 58 years. The continuity of the digestive tract was restored with ileum-colon (n = 1) or colon (n = 6). The voice tube was reconstructed with appendix (n = 1) or with terminal ileum (n = 6). The middle colic artery (n = 1) and left ascending colic artery (n = 6) were used as a pedicle. Five flaps were supercharged using ileocolic vessels. All the flaps survived completely. No intraoperative or in-hospital mortalities occurred. The mean hospital stay was 40 days. The mean follow-up was 22.4 months. Two patients died of local recurrence (1 patient) and distant metastasis (1 patient). One patient died of the complications of pre-existing disease. At the last follow-up, the median deglutition score was 5/7. The median speech score for intelligibility and fluency was 3, and 4 for loudness. The maximum phonation time was 7.57 s. The average sound pressure loudness and fundamental frequency were, respectively, 59 ± 3 dB and 133 ± 33 Hz.ConclusionThe pedicled ileocolon flap as used in this series proved to be a safe and reliable technique for simultaneous reconstruction of voice and digestive tract.