Reconstruction with radial forearm flaps after ablative surgery for XXXX .

@entity1 @entity5
BACKGROUND: @entity1 afflicted with @entity5 must contend with both potentially poor survival prognosis and a compromised quality of remaining life. After extensive ablative surgery, it is imperative to use a reliable, low morbidity reconstructive strategy that will allow for an expedient reconstitution of speech and swallowing. METHODS: Retrospective review of the records of 28 @entity1 who underwent pharyngoesophageal reconstruction with radial forearm free flaps (RFFF) between 1996 and 2001 by a single surgeon (RE). Analysis was confined to @entity1 requiring complete tubulation of the RFFF. Perioperative mortality, morbidity, and functional evaluation based on the parameters of speech and swallowing were analyzed. RESULTS: Completely tubulated RFFF were required in 25 @entity1 . There was 100% RFFF survival with no perioperative mortalities. The median hospital stay was 8.0 days. All @entity1 acquired a reconstitution of oral alimentation; median time to swallowing was 18.0 days. Fourteen of 16 @entity1 (93%) were able to rely on TEP speech as their main modality of communication. Two @entity1 (8%) had early fistulas develop, and 5 (20%) had late fistulas develop. Nine @entity1 (36%) required mechanical dilatation; five of the nine @entity1 required only one dilatation. CONCLUSION: Review of our experience has confirmed the reliability and excellent functional outcome associated with this flap.
