Skin and homograft cartilage reconstruction

Conservative vertical hemilaryngectomy poses the problem of relating the need to remove the tumor completely to the aim of reconstructing an adequate airway lined with epithelium. An attempt has has been made in experimental animals to overcome this problem using pedicled skin and homograft cartilage. The findings suggest that this is a feasible technique, although somewhat hampered by problems unique to the animals concerned. The use of skin pedicles provides adequate cover without shrinkage, and although it is doubtful whether cartilage can survive intact in the long-term, it would seem that it may be adequate for the purposes intended.