Functional outcomes after laryngopharyngectomy with anterolateral thigh flap reconstruction

Background. We examined speech and swallowing outcomes and complications in patients with anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap reconstruction of cervical esophageal defects. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed 29 patients treated with laryngopharyngectomy and ALT flap reconstruction at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center from March 2002 to July 2004. We compared complication rates, nutritional intake, number of tracheoesophageal punctures (TEPs), speech fluency and use, operative defects, and radiotherapy effects. Results. Twenty-two patients had circumferential defects, and seven had partial defects. Twenty-four patients had radiotherapy. Eleven patients underwent TEP. Higher complication rates in patients after TEP compared with those without TEP were not statistically significant (p = .268). Ninety percent of patients with TEP spoke fluently. Ninety percent of all patients returned to oral alimentation without significant effect from TEP (p = 1.00), complications (p = 1.00), radiation therapy (p = 1.00), or surgical defect (p = .56). Conclusions. The ALT flap successfully reconstructs laryngopharyngeal defects with excellent speech and swallowing results.