American Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Medicine and Surgery
Volume 31, Issue 2 , Pages 132-135, March 2010

Epiglottis reconstruction with free radial forearm flap after supraglottic laryngectomy

  • Hung-Tao Hsiao, MD

      Affiliations

    • Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Surgery Department, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
    • Mackay Medicine, Nursing and Management College, Taipei, Taiwan
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Surgery Department, Mackay Memorial Hospital, 92 Chung-San North Road, Section 2, Taipei, Taiwan 10 449. Tel.: +886 2 25433535; fax: +886 2 25433642.
    • ,
  • Yi-Shing Leu, MD

      Affiliations

    • Otolaryngology Department, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Kwang-Yi Tung, MD

      Affiliations

    • Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Surgery Department, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
    • Mackay Medicine, Nursing and Management College, Taipei, Taiwan

Received 31 October 2008 published online 27 March 2009.

Abstract 

A bilobed free radial forearm flap was designed to reconstruct a defect in the epiglottis and tongue base in 2 patients who underwent supraglottic laryngectomy. The flap was initially sutured in the shape of the epiglottis to prevent aspiration during deglutition. Six months after surgery, after a full course of radiation therapy, the flap had flattened and underwent atrophy, but the patients still had good voice production and were able to swallow well without any aspiration. Regardless of the final shape of the reconstructed epiglottis, it will suffice to prevent aspiration if the flap is large enough to occlude the tracheal outlet.

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PII: S0196-0709(08)00236-6

doi:10.1016/j.amjoto.2008.11.004

American Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Medicine and Surgery
Volume 31, Issue 2 , Pages 132-135, March 2010

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