Simultaneous tracheal and esophageal reconstruction for thyroid cancer involving trachea and esophagus using a free bipaddled posterior tibial artery perforator flap.

Abstract

Simultaneous tracheal and esophageal reconstruction after tumor resection is a great challenge. Here we present an innovative operative technique to simultaneously reconstruct tracheal and esophageal defects, in which a free posterior tibial artery perforator flap was made into a free bipaddled flap to cover both tracheal and esophageal defects. A free bipaddled posterior tibial artery perforator flap was utilized to conduct simultaneous tracheal and esophageal reconstruction for a 72-year-old female patient with papillary thyroid carcinoma and massive trachea and esophagus invasion, who underwent radical resection. Satisfactory breathing and swallowing functions were gained independent of nasal feeding and tracheotomy. Voice was still hoarse due to tumor invasion of left recurrent laryngeal nerve. During a period of 2-year follow-up, no sign of tumor recurrence was observed. A free bipaddled posterior tibial artery perforator flap could be a decent choice for simultaneous reconstruction of large tracheal and esophageal defects.