Long‐term surgical and functional outcomes after anterolateral thigh flap and free jejunal transfer reconstruction of circumferential pharyngoesophageal defects

BackgroundCircumferential pharyngoesophageal defects resulting from total pharyngolaryngectomy are commonly reconstructed using free jejunal (FJ) transfer or an anterolateral thigh (ALT) free flap.MethodsWe reviewed the medical records of 92 patients with ALT free flaps and 140 who underwent FJ transfer between 2009 and 2022, and compared their surgical outcomes.ResultsTotal flap loss occurred in two (2%) and five (4%) patients in the ALT free flap and FJ transfer groups, respectively. Fistula rates were 5% in both groups. Stricture rates were 21% and 5% in the ALT free flap and FJ transfer groups, respectively (p