Objective: To explore the outcome of hypopharynx reconstruction by using remaining laryngeal mucosa flap and pectoralis major myocutaneous flap in advanced pyriform sinus cancer.
Methods: Twelve patients with pyriform sinus cancers underwent hemilaryngectomy and partial pharyngectomy, two patients underwent cervical esophagectomy at the same time. The defects were reconstructed by remaining laryngeal mucosa flap. Four cases were involved in the bilateral larynx, received total laryngectomy and were repaired by pectoralis major myocutaneous flap.
Results: There was no operative fatal case and all flaps survived. Only one suffered from postoperative pharyngocutaneous fistulas, whose defect was reconstructed by remaining laryngeal mucosa flap and had radiotherapy. All patients could swallow ordinary food and had no benign esophagostenosis and pharyngostenosis after operation. Out of 16 patients, 1 case died of general metastasis; 3 cases died of local tumor relapse, tumor relapse of cervical lymphonode and lung metastasis respectively within 1 year after operation; the other 12 cases survived over 2 years.
Conclusion: The advantage of hypopharynx reconstruction with remaining laryngeal mucosa flap is simple and convenient with less trauma and complication. The reconstruction should be completed by using the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap when the bilateral larynx are involved in.