Background: Few studies have demonstrated the utility of pharyngeal interposition graft (PIG) applying pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (PMMCF) by comparing pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) rates.Objective: The objective of this retrospective study was to clarify the utility of PIG applying PMMCF in reducing post-operative complications due to salvage total laryngectomy (STL).Material and methods: STL was performed in 59 patients with recurrent laryngeal cancer after radiotherapy, comprising 37 non-PMMCF patients and 22 PMMCF patients. The primary endpoint was PCF rate. Comparisons were made between two groups: a group with simple closure not using PMMCF (non-PMMCF group), and the other with PMMCF used in a PIG (PMMCF group).Results: PCF occurred in 15 of the 59 subjects (25.4%), including 13 of the 37 patients in the non-PMMCF group (35.1%) and 2 of the 22 patients in the PMMCF group (9.1%). PCF rate was significantly lower in the PMMCF group than in the non-PMMCF group (p = .033).Conclusions and significance: We demonstrated that PIG applying PMMCF significantly reduced the PCF rate due to STL. In the future, surgeons need to conduct research focused on additional innovations to reduce post-operative complications as much as possible.
Keywords: Radiotherapy; chemoradiotherapy; pectoralis major myocutaneous flap; pharyngeal interposition graft; pharyngocutaneous fistula; salvage total laryngectomy.