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Complex adult laryngotracheal reconstruction with a prefabricated flap: A case series
Author(s) -
Detwiller Kara Y.,
Schindler Joshua S.,
Schneider Daniel S.,
Lindau Robert,
Wax Mark K.
Publication year - 2013
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.23335
Subject(s) - laryngotracheal stenosis , medicine , surgery , airway , stenosis , airway obstruction , free flap reconstruction , forearm , tracheal stenosis , free flap , radiology
Background Laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS) can cause persistent or recurrent airway obstruction. Although there is extensive literature on surgical techniques to treat LTS at onset, there are few techniques described for complex adult LTS after failed prior airway surgery. We describe a procedure used successfully in 3 patients who required structural augmentation for complex LTS. Methods Patients were treated with staged reconstruction using a prefabricated composite graft consisting of auricular cartilage and a radial forearm free flap. Results All patients underwent successful reconstruction with good wound healing and are tolerating oral diets. Two patients have been successfully decannulated. Conclusion A delayed prefabricated graft using auricular cartilage in a radial forearm free flap is a viable surgical intervention in patients with complex adult LTS who are not candidates for conventional approaches. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 35: E376–E380, 2013