Channel: Chapter 6 - Total laryngectomy and reconstruction - eLarynx

Pharyngeal reconstruction with pectoralis major myocutaneous flap

Sun, 11 Dec 2022 16:55:06 +0100

In this video we show a Fabian-type circular pharyngectomy closure with a split-thickness skin graft on the posterior wall and a horseshoe-shaped pectoralis major myocutaneous flap. In some cases where it is not possible to do a free flap, the pectoralis major flap with a split-thickness skin graft can be used to make a new pharynx. This video shows this technique. The split-thickness skin graft has been placed on the prevertebral wall, along with a salivary bypass tube. A pectoralis major myocutaneous flap is raised to close the pharynx. The skin of the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap is sutured to the esophagus at the lateral level. The proximal skin of the flap is sutured to the posterior wall of the theoretical pharynx, taking prevertebral muscles and the split-thickness skin graft. The flap is sutured at the base of the tongue. Finally, the remaining wall is sutured. It is reinforced by suturing the pectoralis muscle to the suprahyoid muscles.

Total laryngectomy

Wed, 16 Nov 2022 14:02:50 +0100

In this video we show a total laryngectomy. The most commonly followed incision for total laryngectomy is the U-shaped incision. If possible, the tracheostomy incision is made separately. The subplatysmal flap is raised superiorly above the level of hyoid bone and inferiorly up to the level of the sternum and clavicular heads. We liberate the specimen by sectioning the strap muscles and the omohyoid muscle inferiorly and dettaching the suprahyoid muscles from the hyoid bone superiorly. How the thyroid is dealt with depends on the extent of the tumor. Once the thyroid is out of the way, we continue to separate the tissues from the specimen laterally. We cut the constrictor muscles out of the thyroid cartilage. We then cut the mucosa over the epiglottis and once the epiglottis is identified we grasp it and retract it with the specimen. To avoid cutting through the tumor or its submucosal extension, the pharynx may be entered contralateral to the tumor. Once the extent of the tumor can be assessed through the opened pharynx, we continue to complete the upper limit of the dissection cutting the pharyngeal mucosa. On the lower end, we create the stoma cutting between two tracheal rings and we then separate the trachea and larynx from the esophagus. Once the specimen is out, we carry out the pharyngeal closure, which is a critical step. Finally we end up creating the stoma and closing the entire wound by layers.

Total laryngectomy due to a non-functional larynx

Wed, 16 Nov 2022 13:22:22 +0100

In this video we will show a total laryngectomy due to a non-functional larynx. The patient had a history of treatment with chemoradiotherapy for a larynx cancer more than 10 years ago, and a hemiglossectomy, bilateral neck dissection and ALT free-flap reconstruction 5 years ago for a tongue cancer.

The current symptoms are: severe dysphagia with aspirations, and even after placing a PEG tube for feeding, the patient continued to have a pneumonia every month only due to aspiration of saliva.

The final decision was to perform a total laryngectomy. The neck was very fibrotic due to the previous treatments. Moreover, the patient had a granuloma at the anterior commissure for the past 3 years, which was non-tumoral.

We performed a separate incision from the tracheostomy, and we closed the pharynx with an endo GIA stapler.

Pectoralis Major Myocutaneous Flap

Sun, 11 Dec 2022 16:52:42 +0100

In this video we show how to raise a Pectoralis Major Myocutaneous Flap. An incision is made based on the size of the defect to reconstruct, the pectoralis major muscle is identified and, following the muscle, the flap is raised until the area is fully open, and we have exposed the entire area. The skin of the flap is fixed to the muscle to avoid breaking the perforating vessels. The rib is identified at the most distal end (in this case a small part of the anterior rectus muscle is removed) and the insertions of the pectoralis major muscle on the ribs are cut until the pectoralis minor muscle appears (where the insertions of the pectoralis major muscle end). The pedicle is seen through transparency just on the medial border of the pectoralis minor muscle. Once the pedicle is located, we continue cutting the pectoralis major muscle up to the clavicle and we elevate the flap to the neck.

Total laryngectomy with Endo GIA closure

Sun, 11 Dec 2022 13:10:13 +0100

In this video we show a total laryngectomy performed with the surgeon on the left side in a patient with a T4a larynx cancer. A left hemithyroidectomy was also performed as part of the oncologic surgery. The closure was done using an Endo GIA.