Pharyngocutaneous Fistula Following Myocutaneous Flap Reconstruction for Recurrent Hypopharyngeal Malignancy: A Case Report

The treatment of the recurrent carcinoma involving hypopharynx and cervical esophagus requires radical operation and reconstruction of the food passageway.

Reconstruction of the hypopharynx and cervical esophagus fo11owing extensive resection forcancer has been accomplished with various techniques.

The pectoralis major myocutaneous flap remains of the greatest contributions in reconstructive head and neck surgery because it has excellent vascularity and may be raisedwithout a delay.

Early studies reported either a low incidence of complications or did not describe the incidence of complications associated with the use of the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap. However, recent publications have suggested that the incidence of complications is far greaterthan previously reported.

Recently, we experienced pharyngocutaneous fistula fi11owing reconstruction of the hypopharynx with the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap in recurrent hypopharynx cancer.

Therefore, we analyzed the complications associated with the use of the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap for recurrent hypopharyngeal cancer after total laryngectomy with postoperativeradiotherapy.