[Reconstruction of the hypopharyngeal and cervical esophagus using flap of epiglottis]

Reconstruction of the hypopharyngeal and cervical esophagus was performed for eight patients after the resection of hypopharyngeal carcinoma. The flap of the epiglottis and the facial flap of the sternohyoid muscle or the uninvolved mucous membrane of the hypopharynx were used for the reconstruction of the hypopharyngeal and cervical esophagus. A good swallowing function was obtained. No pharyngeal-cervical fistula occurred. Although stomach transposition or colon interpolation and pectoralis major myocutaneous flap could be used to reconstruct the hypopharynx and the cervical esophagus, however, the operative time became longer, more complex and the patient suffered more. The procedure of the flap of epiglottis had the following advantages: (1) a rich vascularized flap; (2) simple operative technique; (3) higher success rate; and (4) few complications.