Hypopharyngeal reconstruction: A comparison of two alternatives

Abstract

Gastric pull‐up or free jejunal interposition was used for reconstruction after total laryngopharyngectomy in 31 patients. Complications and functional outcomes of the two methods are compared. Primary swallowing was achieved in 86% of patients after gastric pull‐up and in 82% of patients after jejunal interposition. Patients who underwent jejunal interposition were able to swallow sooner and had a shorter hospital stay than patients who underwent gastric pull‐up. Esophageal tumor recurrence after jejunal interposition was not observed. Hepatic failure occurred in two gastric pull‐up patients, leading to perioperative death in one. Flap necrosis occurred in two jejunal interposition patients and one gastric pull‐up patient. Two additional fistulas occurred in jejunal interposition patients as a result of microvascular complications. Stricture developed in four jejunal interposition patients, requiring revision surgery in two. Minor complications were more common in the gastric pull‐up group. Long‐term speech and swallowing function are compared. Our current choice of jejunal interposition or gastric pull‐up for reconstruction after total laryngopharyngectomy primarily depends on the location of the tumor.