LARYNGEAL PRESERVATION SURGERY USING A FREE-FLAP PATCH FOLLOWING RESECTION OF A CARCINOMA OF THE POSTERIOR WALL OF THE OROPHARYNX

A carcinoma originating from the posterior wall of the oropharynx is n ot common, and radiotherapy has been used for years in this event with out acceptable success, A free flap patch was used in 4 patients to re construct the defect after resection of a T2 or T3 carcinoma on the po sterior wall of the oropharynx without laryngectomy, The free flaps us ed were the radial forearm and the free jejunal patch in 2 patients ea ch. There was no flap loss, and successful laryngeal preservation was obtained in 3 of 4 patients. Laryngeal preservation surgery using a fr ee flap patch proved very useful in selected patients with carcinoma o f the posterior wall of the oropharynx, Based on our clinical experien ce, the free jejunal patch seems superior to the free forearm flap wit h regard to postoperative functional results.