Background: Following salvage total laryngectomy (STL) with microvascular-free tissue transfer (MFTT), patients are at high risk for swallowing dysfunction, but risk factors for persistent gastrostomy tube (G-tube) dependence are unknown.
Methods: Retrospective review of 33 patients who underwent STL with MFTT.
Results: A total oral diet was achieved by 81% of patients with ≥6 months of postoperative follow-up. Approximately 27% of patients were G-tube dependent preoperatively with 67% achieving a total oral diet postoperatively. Factors associated with persistent G-tube dependence included pT4 tumor, pN2+ status, more extensive pharyngectomy, and re-irradiation. Strictures occurred in 30% of patients and were associated with more extensive pharyngectomy and tubed reconstruction.
Conclusions: For patients undergoing STL with MFTT, the majority of patients achieve a total oral diet regardless of their preoperative swallowing function. Advanced-stage recurrent tumors and increased extent of pharyngectomy contribute to poorer swallowing outcomes.
Keywords: gastrostomy; laryngectomy; microvascular; reconstruction; swallow.
© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.