Reconstruction of large postoperative defects after laryngopharyngectomies

In the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery in Brno, 89 patients with hypopharyngeal cancer were treated from 1998–2001, the overall survival was 18,5%. The authors draw attention to controversial opinions of surgical treatment of advanced hypopharyngeal tumors including the possibility to cover large postoperative defects with flaps with a defined vascular pedicle. Some cases are discussed in detail. The authors emphasize the benefit of cooperation with plastic surgeons and the necessity of individual indication for this way of treatment.