Laryngotracheal canal for hypopharyngoesophageal stricture after corrosive injury

Aim: To evaluate the application of the laryngotracheal canal on the reconstruction of the hypopharyngoesophageal defect resulting from resection of stricture with corrosive injury. Method: Ten patients with the hypopharyngoesophageal stricture after corrosive injury due to ingestion of strong alkali in two cases and strong acid in eight treated surgically from January 2005 to December 2007 were studied. Lipiodol esophagography revealed almost complete obliteration of both sides of sinus piriformis in seven patients and stricture of the lower hypopharynx in two cases, and laryngofiberscopy revealed injury of vocal cord in one case. All patients received the operation of the laryngotracheal canal. As an isoperistaltic conduit in eight and an antiperistaltic in two, the colon was placed retrosternally anastomosed with lower margin of larynx for esophageal substitution. Result: All patients healed well. No anastomotic leakage was observed. Normal deglutition and weight gain were achieved in all the patients. Postoperative follow-up endoscopy showed no stricture recurrence of anastomosis. Functional results of nine patients (90%) were categorized as good result; only one (10%) faired. Conclusion: The application of the laryngotracheal canal therefore can be advocated as the method for reconstruction of the hypopharyngoesophageal defect after resection of stricture due to corrosive injury. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Surgical Associates Ltd.