[Clinical application of pedicled chimeric thoracoacromial artery perforator flap for circular hypopharyngeal reconstruction]

To explore the effectiveness of pedicled chimeric thoracoacromial artery perforator (TAAP) flap as a reconstructive option for circular hypopharyngeal defects.

Between January 2013 and December 2014, the pedicled chimeric TAAP flap was used to repair oncologic circular hypopharyngeal defects in 8 patients, included 6 males and 2 females, with an average age of 57 years (range, 45-80 years). All patients were treated in other hospitals before and recurrence was noted. The duration between latest treatment and recurrence ranged from 3 to 28 months (mean, 16.5 months). According to Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) TNM staged, 3 cases were T ₂N ₁M ₀, 2 cases were T ₃N ₁M ₀, 1 case was T ₃N ₂M ₀, 2 cases were T ₄N ₁M ₀. After laryngectomy, the size of circular hypopharyngeal defect ranged from 9.0 cm×8.5 cm to 12.0 cm×10.5 cm. The size of TAAP flap ranged from 7.0 cm×4.0 cm to 9.5 cm×6.0 cm．The size of pectoralis major flap ranged from 9.0 cm×5.0 cm to 14.5 cm×6.0 cm．The donor sites were closed directly in all cases.

Postoperatively all flaps survived smoothly, and all defects healed by first intention. No early complication was noted. The mean hospital stay period ranged from 12 to 22 days (mean, 14.5 days). All patients were followed up 12-45 months (mean, 18.7 months). Patients possessed good appearance of surgical sites. No recurrence, fistulas, stenosis/strictures, dehiscence, or swelling occurred. Only linear scars were left on the donor sites, and the pectoralis major muscle function was completely preserved in all patients.

Patients with high comorbidities may not be suitable candidates for free flap reconstruction, especially when the recipient vessels are affected from disease or radiotherapy. Pedicled chimeric TAAP flap is a good choice for the reconstruction of hypopharyngeal defects in such conditions．.