Our experience of gastric pull up technique in hypopharyngeal tumors invading cervical esophagus

Objective: The aim of this review was to evaluate the indications, advantages and disadvantages of gastric pull up reconstruction technique following total larnygopharyngoesophagectomy in advanced hypopharyngeal and upper esophageal neoplasm. Material and Methods: The retrospective data of 15 patients with the diagnosis of hypopharyngeal carcinoma who underwent gastric pull up reconstruction following total larnygopharyngoesophagectomy in Haseki Training and Research Hospital, Otorhinolaryngology department from 1998 to 2008 were evaluated. Age of the youngest patient was 25, the oldest one was 68 and mean age was 47. Two of them were male and 13 were female. Demographic data, tumor stages, complications and survival periods of remaining 13 patients were evaluated. Results: All patients were found to have squamous carcinoma. Two patients (%13) died during early postoperative period. The causes of death were graft necrosis and sepsis. The most common complications were regurgitation and dumping-like syndrome. The average time of resumption of the feeding was 7.2 days following the operation. The average hospital stay for the whole population was 10 days (range 7-28 days). Nine of 13 patients died between six to 22 months postoperatively. Four patients were alive without any health problem. Mean survival period was 17 months. Conclusion: Gastric pull up reconstruction is a safe and effective method for the immediate restotation of the alimentary continuity after total laryngopharyngoesophagectomy. The procedure can be performed with low morbidity, acceptable mortality, and a short hospital stay. © 2010 by Türkiye Klinikleri.