Salvage laryngectomy and laryngopharyngectomy: Multicenter review of outcomes associated with a reconstructive approach.

TitleSalvage laryngectomy and laryngopharyngectomy: Multicenter review of outcomes associated with a reconstructive approach.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2019
Corporate AuthorsMicrovascular Committee of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery*
JournalHead Neck
Volume41
Issue1
Pagination16-29
Date Published2019 01
ISSN1097-0347
KeywordsAdult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Carcinoma, Squamous Cell, Cutaneous Fistula, Deglutition Disorders, Female, Fistula, Humans, Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms, Intubation, Gastrointestinal, Laryngeal Neoplasms, Laryngectomy, Male, Middle Aged, Pharyngeal Diseases, Pharyngectomy, Postoperative Complications, Reoperation, Retrospective Studies, Salvage Therapy, Speech Intelligibility, Surgical Flaps
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Surgeons have developed various reconstructive techniques to minimize the rate of pharyngocutaneous fistula and optimize functional outcome after salvage laryngectomy or laryngopharyngectomy.

METHODS: Multicenter retrospective review at 33 institutions of 486 patients with a history of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the larynx or hypopharynx previously treated with primary chemoradiotherapy (CRT) who required salvage surgery. Outcomes evaluated were overall fistula rate, fistula requiring reoperation, and 12-month speech and swallowing function.

RESULTS: Primary closure of the hypopharynx was associated with a statistically higher overall fistula rate and fistula requiring reoperation compared to reconstruction with vascularized tissue augmentation. Vascularized tissue augmentation with muscle led to worse 12-month "understandability of speech" and "nutritional mode" scores compared to vascularized tissue augmentation without muscle.

CONCLUSION: Vascularized tissue augmentation reduces the overall fistula rate and fistula requiring reoperation but vascularized tissue augmentation with muscle may impair speech and swallowing outcomes.

DOI10.1002/hed.25192
Alternate JournalHead Neck
PubMed ID30508265
Faculty Reference: 
Steven J. Wang, MD