Free jejunal graft for hypopharyngeal and esophageal reconstruction

Abstract

Aims: This study assessed the techniques of the free jejunal graft for the reconstruction of hypopharynx or cervical esophagus and discussed the main aspects related to those procedures.

Methods and results: By using free jejunal grafts, we reconstructed 54 hypopharyngeal and cervical esophageal cancers. In this study, 23 out of 54 patients had a malignant tumor located in the hypopharynx and 31 in the cervical esophagus (27 primary cases and four secondary cases). Despite the multi-step and time-consuming procedure, we did not incur any trans-operative complication. Furthermore, we undertook the larynx preserving cervical esophagectomy and free jejunal graft reconstruction in six patients with cervical esophageal cancer, and those patients acquired a good quality of life.

Conclusion: For the reconstruction of hypopharynx or cervical esophagus, the free jejunal graft is a very useful technique and improves the patient's quality of life.