Risk factors for complications after pharyngolaryngectomy with total esophagectomy

BACKGROUND: Pharyngolaryngectomy with total esophagectomy (PLTE) is an effective surgical treatment for synchronous or metachronous hypopharyngeal or laryngeal cancer and thoracic esophageal cancer, although it is more invasive than esophagectomy and total pharyngolaryngectomy. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for complications after PLTE. METHODS: From November 2002 to December 2014, a total of 8 patients underwent PLTE at the Shizuoka Cancer Center Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan. We investigated the clinicopathological characteristics, surgical procedures, and postoperative complications of these patients. RESULTS: Of the 8 patients, 5 underwent one-stage PLTE and 3 underwent staged PLTE. There was no mortality in this study. Two cases of tracheal necrosis, two of anastomotic leakage, and one of ileus were observed as postoperative complications. Two patients who underwent one-stage PLTE with standard mediastinal lymph node dissection developed tracheal necrosis and severe anastomotic leakage. CONCLUSION: One-stage PLTE and standard mediastinal lymph node dissection were identified as the risk factors for severe postoperative complications. Staged PLTE or transhiatal esophagectomy should be considered when PLTE is performed and standard mediastinal lymph node dissection should be avoided when one-stage PLTE is performed with transthoracic esophagectomy.