Long-term Assessment of Speech and Swallowing Function in Laryngopharyngeal Cancer Patients After J-Flap Reconstruction.

Background: A novel J-shaped anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap reconstruction technique had been developed to simultaneously restore swallowing and speech functions in patients following total laryngopharyngectomy. This study aimed to assess the outcomes and surgical complications in patients who underwent J-flap reconstruction over time.

Methods: Patients who underwent J-shaped ALT flap phonatory tube reconstruction were enrolled. Surgical morbidities and outcomes were evaluated every 3 months postsurgery for 12 months or death.

Results: Of the 36 patients, 13 underwent circumferential pharyngeal wall resection (circumferential defect group, CD group), and 23 underwent partial resection (partial defect group, PD group). After 12 months, 97% of the patients resumed oral intake without reliance on a nasogastric tube (NG tube), and 50% achieved fluent speech using the reconstructed phonatory tube. The CD group showed a higher rate of delayed healing (30.77% vs. 0%, p=0.005). The PD group exhibited significantly greater percentages of individuals consuming solid food at both the 3- and 12-month intervals than the CD group (81.0% vs. 23.1% and 78.9% vs. 40%, respectively).

Conclusion: : This study examined the evolution of speech and swallowing functions over time following J-flap voice tube reconstruction. Regardless of whether the defect was circumferential or partial, using a J-shaped ALT flap phonatory tube effectively restored both speech and swallowing functions, offering long-lasting benefits.