Single-stage repair of subglottic stenosis using the radial forearm free flap as a vascularized carrier.

Abstract

We present a case report of a patient with history of subglottic carcinoma who underwent chemoradiation and subsequently developed subglottic stenosis (SGS). She was treated with an anterior cricoid split maintained by septal cartilage wrapped in a partially deepithelialized radial forearm free flap (RFFF). To date, with a follow-up of 6 months, the patient has been fully decannulated and has not experienced airway collapse or any other complications. Upper airway reconstruction using a single-stage autogenous cartilage graft wrapped in a vascularized carrier is a real option for those patients with extensive SGS in the setting of an irradiated and devascularized tissue bed.