Reconstruction after pharyngolaryngo-oesophagectomy using delto-pectoral flap.

Fifty patients with hypopharyngeal cancer treated with total pharyngolaryngectomy and staged reconstruction using delto-pectoral flaps in the years from 1967-1976 were studied. The main complications were fistulae and stricture formation; these are described. The hospital mortality was low, and postoperative deaths only occurred in previously irradiated patients. The crude 5-year survival was 35%.