[Application of folded flap in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal function reconstructions after surgery of piriform sinus cancer]

Objective: To investigate the use of folded flap for repair of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal defect and the clinical efficacies of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal function reconstructions after surgery of piriform sinus cancer. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed for 10 cases of piriform sinus cancer that were treated in the Second Norman Bethune Hospital of Jilin University from January 2020 to April 2023 and all patients were males, aged 42-68 years. The first choice of treatment for all patients was surgery. After function neck dissection and tracheotomy, partial laryngectomy and hypopharyngectomy were carried out. The folded island flaps were prepared and used for the repairs of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal defects and the reconstructions laryngeal and hypopharyngeal functions. The patients were followed up. Results: The laryngeal and pharyngeal cavities were reconstructed well in 10 patients, and all the flaps survived, with no case of pharyngeal fistula. All patients were able to eat normally through the mouth at 2 weeks after surgery without obvious choking, and 4 patients completed the swallowing function evaluation without aspiration or only a small amount of aspiration. All the 10 patients underwent postoperative radiotherapy. The postoperative follow-up time was 5.4-41.4 months, and there was no case with tumor recurrence or death. Laryngoscopy showed that 8 patients had a spacious new laryngeal orifice, which met the conditions for extubation, of whom 7 patients had their tracheal tubes removed and 1 patient was still under observation, and that 2 patients had a slightly narrowed new laryngeal orifice due to a thick skin flap, with further follow-up observation. All patients retained their phonatory functions after surgery. Conclusion: Folded island flap can be used for the function reconstructions of the larynx and hypopharynx after surgery of pyriform sinus cancer.