• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.53-56
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• 2017

Pharyngocutaneous fistula is one of the most common wound complications after total laryngectomy. The leakage of saliva may cause an erosion of greater vessels nearby and result in a life-threatening bleeding. 65-year-old male received laryngectomy and pharyngectomy followed by Latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction due to recurred laryngeal cancer with oropharyngeal extension after postoperative radiotherapy. Pharyngeal fistula was developed and an excessive fresh blood flowed through the oral and nasal cavity. The patient was transferred to the operating room immediately, and the causing artery was ligated. The rupture of the common carotid artery and its branches should be warned when the pharyngocutaneous fistula is developed. Prompt and proper therapy must be performed for the patients with impending or acute hemorrhage.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.47-51
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• 2009

Hypopharyngeal cancer have shown poor prognosis though various treatment modalities were developed for several decades. Therefore current trend in managing hypopharyngeal cancer is organ preservation therapy to improve patient's quality of life. Recently, surgery via robotic surgical system in genitourinary surgery improved minimal invasive technique and reduced morbidity dramatically. Hypopharyngeal cancer treatment using Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in treating lesions of hypopharynx could reduce the morbidity and achieve organ preservation.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.110-113
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• 2008

Purpose: The jejunal free flap is the most standard and reliable procedure of reconstruction of the circumferential pharyngoesophageal defect because it provides pliable, elastic, secreting mucosa and posses reliable vascular anatomy. In this report, the authors introduce the modification of jejunal free flap for decreasing the complications in fatty complicated patients. Method: After harvesting the jejunum with mesentery and mesenteric vessels, both ends of jejunum were excised remaining the mesenteric portion. The jejunal portion of this composite flap was placed to reconstruct esophagopharyngeal defect area and the mesenteric portion was used to obliterate the dead space at paratracheal region and to cover the vital structure and the vascular anastomotic region. Result: A 72 year-old man with recurrent hypopharyngeal cancer who had about 15 cm sized circumferential pharyngoesophageal defect after total pharyngectomy was reconstructed with jejunomesenteric composite free flap without any complications. Conclusion: The mesenteric flaps at both side of jejunomesenteric composite free flap provide the advantages that could obliterate dead space, that could provide cover for the vital cervical vascular structure in case of vascularity was compromised due to previous radiation therapy, and that could preserve as much vascularity at both ends of jejunal flap as possible.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.89-93
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• 2017

Background. Ever since the first report of deltopectoral flap in pharyngo-esophageal reconstruction in 1965, various methods of flap reconstruction have been introduced, allowing surgical eradication of tumors that were once thought to be inoperable. Despite these advancement, many literatures emphasize distant metastasis and second primary malignancies as the most important factors that contribute to the low 5-year survival rate of the patients. Specific consensus about defining second primary cancer is still debatable, due to small number of reports regarding second primary tumors arising in flaps used for reconstruction of defects in the head and neck region. Case. We report a case of a 72-year-old male patient who, under the diagnosis of hypopharyngeal cancer, underwent total laryngectomy with partial pharyngectomy, extended right radical neck dissection with extended left lateral neck dissection, right hemithyroidectomy and radial forearm free flap reconstruction on June 16, 2003. After 37 cycles of radiation therapy, the patient exhibited no sign of recurrence. The patient revisited our department on June 14, 2016 with chief complaint of dysphagia that started two months before the visit. Radiologic studies and histology revealed squamous cell carcinoma in neopharynx, one that had been reconstructed with forearm free flap. Conclusion. Until now, only a handful of reports regarding patients with second primary cancer in reconstructed flaps have been described. Despite its rarity, diagnostic criteria for second primary cancer should always kept in consideration for patients with recurred tumor.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.46-53
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• 1998

Background: Hypopharyngeal cancer represents about one-third the incidence of laryngeal cancer which is the most common cancer in head and neck area. Although there have been numerous reports regarding its clinical and statistical characteristics, more precise and ample data should be collected and analyzed in this country. Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the pattern and patient's profile of the hypopharyngeal cancer, and we reviewed the treatment outcomes to search for an index of treatment modalities. Materials and Methods: The authors retrospectively analyzed 73 cases of hypopharyngeal cancer treated at Yonsei Medical Center during the 10-year period from 1985 to 1994. Five-year survival rate was calculated according to the primary site, clinical stage and treatment modality. Results: The incidence was predominated in male by 9 to 1 and peak incidence was 6th and 7th decades. Pyriform sinus was the main primary site(80.8%) followed by posterior hypopharyngeal wall(13.7%) and postcricoid area(5.5%). Advanced stage cancers(87.7%) were more common than early stage cancers. Radiotherapy(60.3%) was the most commonly used as primary treatment modality. Neck node metastasis was early occurred even in early stage cancers(61.5%), and overall rate of neck node metastasis was 69.9%. All surgical cases received procedures more than total laryngectomy and partial pharyngectomy. The most common cause of death was primary failure(81.5%) and it was highest in radiotherapy group. Five-year survival rate was significantly high in surgery group(90.9%). The overall 5-year survival rate of hypopharyngeal cancer was 30.3%. Conclusion: High index of suspicion should be required for early diagnosis. Also, surgery may be recommended for the primary treatment modality in advanced stage cancers.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.407-412
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• 2006

Purpose: Various attempts of reconstruction for pharyngoesophageal defects after ablative surgery have been made to restore the function of the pharyngoesophagus. A fabricated tubed radial forearm free flap or free jejunal free flap was used when the width of remnant pharyngeal wall was less than 50% of the normal width. However there are many disadvantages such as stricture, saliva leakage and fistula formation on tubed radial forearm free flap. The jejunal free flap has the problem such as short pedicle, poor tolerance of ischemic time, wet voice and delayed transit of swallowed food due to the uncoordinated contraction. The authors studied the utility of patch-type radial forearm free flap using the remnant posterior pharyngeal wall of the hypopharynx. Methods: Retrospective reviews in Severance Hospital were made on 25 patients who underwent reconstruction surgery with patched radial forearm free flap because of the hypopharyngeal cancer between 1996 and 2005. The patients of Group I had the narrow posterior pharyngeal wall and its width was less than 3centimeters after the tumor was resected. Those of Group II had the partial pharyngectomy and the width of the remnant pharynx was larger than 3 centimeters. Results: Seven patients belonged to the group I and the flap of this group had 100% survival rate. One case of fistula and no swallowing discomfort due to stricture was reported. The Group II including 18 patients also had the 100% flap survival rate. Neither fistula nor stricture was seen but the lower diet grade was checked. Conclusion: The patch type radial forearm free flap using the remnant pharyngeal wall have the advantage of the radial forearm free flap, and furthermore this flap is the safe reconstructive method even if the width of the remnant pharyngeal wall is less than 30% of that of normal pharynx.