Premium
Anterolateral thigh free flap for tracheal reconstruction after parastomal recurrence
Author(s) -
Caliceti Umberto,
Piccin Ottavio,
Cavicchi Ottavio,
Contedini Federico,
Cipriani Riccardo
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.20992
Subject(s) - medicine , surgery , laryngectomy , reconstructive surgeon , reconstructive surgery , head and neck , free flap , thigh , soft tissue , resection , larynx
Abstract Background Stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy is 1 of the most serious issues in head and neck surgery, both because of the complexity of its management and because of its morbidity. Prior to the introduction of free‐tissue transfer, mediastinal tracheostomy has been the standard reconstructive procedure with high rate of complications. The ideal reconstructive solution to these problems must provide well‐vascularized soft tissues that can cover the defect after resection and also allow suturing of the tracheal remnant to skin edges without tension. Methods and Results We describe a case of a 56‐year‐old man with stomal recurrence after total laryngectomy treated by the use of a tubed anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap to elongate the shortened trachea and simultaneously cover the cervical skin defect. Conclusions The ALT can be accepted as an ideal free‐flap choice for stomal recurrence, because it has maximal reconstructive capacity and produces minimal donor‐site morbidity. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2009