Circumferential laryngopharyngectomy with free jejunal transfer for hypopharyngeal cancer: a retrospective cohort analysis of outcomes and complications - Report - MDSpire

Circumferential laryngopharyngectomy with free jejunal transfer for hypopharyngeal cancer: a retrospective cohort analysis of outcomes and complications

  • By

  • Alissa De Baets

  • Davide Di Santo

  • Ann Goeleven

  • Katarina Segers

  • Thomas Nevens

  • Albert Wolthuis

  • Vincent Vander Poorten

  • Jeroen Meulemans

  • June 24, 2026

  • 0 min

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Circumferential Laryngopharyngectomy with Free Jejunal Flap Reconstruction

Overview

This study evaluates the oncological and functional outcomes of total laryngopharyngectomy (TLP) with free jejunal transfer (FJT) in patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HSCC).

Background

Hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HSCC) is a rare but aggressive cancer, often diagnosed at advanced stages. Total laryngopharyngectomy (TLP) is considered the gold standard for treating locally advanced HSCC when organ preservation strategies are not viable. Reconstruction of the resulting defects poses significant challenges.

Data Highlights

OutcomeRate
Two-year overall survival (OS)52.3%
Five-year OS26.9%
Disease-specific survival (DSS) at 2 years54.7%
DSS at 5 years42.8%
Complete oral intake68.2%
Voice rehabilitation52.3%
Pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) formation27.3%

Key Findings

  • 22 patients with HSCC underwent TLP with FJT, with a mean follow-up of 3.9 years.
  • 95.5% success rate for FJT, with only 1 failure.
  • PCF was the most common complication, occurring in 27.3% of patients.
  • 68.2% achieved complete oral intake post-surgery.
  • 52.3% of patients achieved voice rehabilitation.
  • All primary tumors were stage IV, with a majority of salvage patients also presenting advanced disease stages.

Clinical Implications

The study presents outcomes of FJT in reconstructing defects after TLP in HSCC patients.

Conclusion

FJT is a reconstructive option following TLP for HSCC.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Short Segment Free Jejunal Transfer as a Salvage Surgical Option for Cervical Esophageal and Hypopharyngeal Malignancies, 2013 -- Springer
  2. Evaluation of Jejunal Positioning and Its Impact on Dysphagia Following Total Gastrectomy, 2025 -- Surgical Endoscopy
  3. Impact of Nutritional Jejunostomy on Postoperative Outcomes and Survival Following Esophagectomy for Cancer, 2020 -- Surgical Endoscopy
  4. Radiotherapy for hypopharynx cancers: 2025 update -- ScienceDirect
  5. Surgical Endoscopy (Springer) — Gastric ischemic conditioning before esophagectomy: contemporary practices and insights from an international survey
  6. NCCN Head and Neck Cancers Guidelines Version 1.2026
  7. Radiotherapy for hypopharynx cancers: 2025 update - ScienceDirect
  8. Long-Term Results of RTOG 91-11: A Comparison of Three Nonsurgical Treatment Strategies to Preserve the Larynx in Patients With Locally Advanced Larynx Cancer - PMC
  9. Surgical complications and functional outcomes of 3191 jejunal free flaps used for reconstruction of circumferential defects following head and neck cancer resections: A systematic review - ScienceDirect

Original Source(s)

Circumferential laryngopharyngectomy with free jejunal transfer for hypopharyngeal cancer: a retrospective cohort analysis of outcomes and complications

  • by Alissa De Baets, Davide Di Santo, Ann Goeleven, Katarina Segers, Thomas Nevens, Albert Wolthuis, Vincent Vander Poorten, Jeroen Meulemans

  • June 24, 2026

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