Pharyngoesophageal reconstruction using laryngotracheal flap for a high-risk case of locally-advanced pyriform sinus cancer

The reconstruction technique using the contralateral unaffected hemilaryngotracheal flap has been reported to be a simple and effective method with low morbidity and satisfactory oncologic and functional results in pyriform sinus carcinoma resection. We report a 79-year-old male with hypopharyngeal cancer in the right pyriform sinus, T4aN2bM0, stage IVa. He had a markedly impaired respiratory function caused by comorbidity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To be cured, he needed radical surgery with a simple and minimally-invasive reconstruction technique, so the reconstruction technique using laryngotracheal flap was applied. He experienced no complications including respiratory disorder, pharyngocutaneous fistula, or pharyngoesophageal stenosis postoperatively.