Swallowing outcomes over time after total pharyngolaryngectomy and free flap reconstruction

Background: One of the challenges after total pharyngolaryngectomy (TPL) is to re- store the swallowing function. The aim of this study was to compare swallowing outcomes between patients who underwent reconstruction with jejunum free flap (JFF) and other free flaps (OFFs).Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent TPL and free flap re- construction. The endpoints were the evolution of swallowing outcomes during the first five years after treatment assessed by the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), and outcomes as- sociated with complications. Results: One hundred and eleven patients were included, 84 patients in the JFF group and 27 in the OFF group. The patients in the OFF group experienced more chronic pharyngostoma (p = 0.001) and pharyngoesophageal stricture (p = 0.008). During the first year, a lower FOIS score tended to be associated with OFF (p = 0.137), and this result remained stable over time.Conclusions: This study suggests that JFF reconstruction provides better swallowing outcomes than OFF reconstruction, stable over time.& COPY; 2023 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.