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J Reconstr Microsurg 1999; 15(1): 15-18
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1000065
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

© 1999 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Radial Forearm Free‐Flap Reconstruction Following Radiotherapy and Total Laryngectomy

Yuhei Yamamoto, Hiroshi Furukawa, Tsuneki Sugihara, Satoshi Fukuda, Yasushi Furuta, Takushu Ryu
  • Departments of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Otolaryngology, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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Publication History

Accepted for Publication 1998

Publication Date:
08 March 2008 (online)

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ABSTRACT

The authors' experience with six patients who underwent radial forearm free-flap reconstruction following radiotherapy and total laryngectomy is presented. All patients had undergone previous irradiation of 57.8 Gy on average as primary treatment for laryngeal cancer. A patch graft of the radial forearm free flap was used for pharyngoesophageal wall reconstruction in three patients, a radial forearm free flap for cervical soft tissue in one patient, and a double-folded radial forearm free flap for simultaneous pharyngoesophageal wall and cervical soft tissue in two patients. The free-flap transfers were successful in all patients. There was one patient who developed a small pharyngocutaneous fistula, which closed spontaneously. The radial forearm free flap is demonstrated to be a versatile technique for reconstruction of a moderatesized defect in the treatment of laryngeal cancer.