Prevention of wound complications after salvage total laryngectomy following chemoradiotherapy with a pectoralis major muscle interposition flap

Abstract

There is an increased risk of wound complications in patients undergoing salvage laryngectomy following chemoradiotherapy. To reduce the rate of wound complications after a salvage total laryngectomy, a fresh tissue reinforcement of the pharyngeal suture line (pharyngeal interposition graft) has been reported to be useful. In the present study, wound complications after a salvage total laryngectomy with a pectoralis major muscle flap as a pharyngeal interposition graft were analyzed. Four patients with recurrent laryngeal cancer (three with supraglottis and one with glottic cancer) after chemoradiotherapy underwent salvage total laryngectomy using a pectoralis major muscle interposition flap. Minor wound complications were observed in three of the four patients, with an infection around the tracheostoma, a minor subcutaneous abscess, and a superficial skin necrosis in one patient each. These complications were managed with local wound care. No patients had major wound complications such as pharyngocutaneous fistulas. There were no necroses or wound complications of the pectoralis major muscle flap. This study has suggested that the pectoralis major muscle flap as a pharyngeal interposition graft is safe and useful for prevention of wound complications in salvage total laryngectomy following chemoradiotherapy.