Bocca's hemipharyngo-total laryngectomy for hypopharyngeal carcinoma to avoid reconstruction with a pedicled flap.

Abstract

Major pharyngeal defects after total pharyngolaryngectomy for hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) frequently demand reconstruction strategies that include myocutaneous pedicled flaps, such as the pectoralis major flap. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical charts of 24 patients with hypopharyngeal SCC treated with Bocca's hemipharyngo-total laryngectomy (HPTL) at our Institution. Eighteen patients (80%) experienced no disease recurrence after primary surgery and were alive with no evidence of disease after a mean follow-up of 43 months. The 2-year overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) rates in our sample were 69% and 82%, respectively. Bocca's HPTL enables an immediate neopharyngeal reconstruction, and is indicated in selected patients with intermediate to advanced hypopharyngeal tumors.