Repair of the pharyngocutaneous fistula with a fasciocutaneous island flap pedicled on the superficial temporalis artery

Plast Reconstr Surg. 2000 Dec;106(7):1573-6. doi: 10.1097/00006534-200012000-00020.

Abstract

The case of an 84-year-old man with a pharyngocutaneous fistula after radiotherapeutic treatment and total laryngectomy for a squamous cell carcinoma was reported. Treatment with local flaps failed and normal flaps were not likely to succeed because of general and locally poor conditions considering that intensive radiotherapy had been administered. We therefore decided to use a fasciocutaneous island flap from the temporoparietal region pedicled on the parietal branch of the superficial temporalis artery. We obtained efficient and stable repair of the lesion both from a cosmetic and a functional point of view. We were forced to use this procedure for lack of another choice; however, we think that this could become a useful option in covering substance loss in this area when simpler solutions are not available.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / radiotherapy
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / surgery
  • Cutaneous Fistula / surgery*
  • Fascia / transplantation*
  • Fistula / surgery*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / surgery
  • Laryngectomy
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / surgery
  • Pharyngeal Diseases / surgery*
  • Skin Transplantation* / methods
  • Skin Transplantation* / pathology
  • Surgical Flaps* / blood supply
  • Temporal Arteries / transplantation*
  • Vocal Cords / radiation effects
  • Vocal Cords / surgery