Bocca's hemipharyngo-total laryngectomy for hypopharyngeal carcinoma to avoid reconstruction with a pedicled flap

Head Neck. 2018 Jul;40(7):1476-1482. doi: 10.1002/hed.25124. Epub 2018 Mar 23.

Abstract

Background: Major pharyngeal defects after total pharyngolaryngectomy for hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) frequently demand reconstruction strategies that include myocutaneous pedicled flaps, such as the pectoralis major flap.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical charts of 24 patients with hypopharyngeal SCC treated with Bocca's hemipharyngo-total laryngectomy (HPTL) at our Institution.

Results: Eighteen patients (80%) experienced no disease recurrence after primary surgery and were alive with no evidence of disease after a mean follow-up of 43 months. The 2-year overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) rates in our sample were 69% and 82%, respectively.

Conclusion: Bocca's HPTL enables an immediate neopharyngeal reconstruction, and is indicated in selected patients with intermediate to advanced hypopharyngeal tumors.

Keywords: Bocca; hemipharyngectomy; hypopharyngeal carcinoma; total laryngectomy.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / surgery*
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / mortality
  • Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Laryngectomy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neck Dissection
  • Pharyngectomy / methods*
  • Retrospective Studies