Simultaneous tracheal and esophageal reconstruction for thyroid cancer involving trachea and esophagus using a free bipaddled posterior tibial artery perforator flap

BACKGROUND: Simultaneous tracheal and esophageal reconstruction after tumor resection is a great challenge. Here we present an innovative operative technique to simultaneously reconstruct tracheal and esophageal defects, in which a free posterior tibial artery perforator flap was made into a free bipaddled flap to cover both tracheal and esophageal defects. METHODS: A free bipaddled posterior tibial artery perforator flap was utilized to conduct simultaneous tracheal and esophageal reconstruction for a 72‐year‐old female patient with papillary thyroid carcinoma and massive trachea and esophagus invasion, who underwent radical resection. RESULTS: Satisfactory breathing and swallowing functions were gained independent of nasal feeding and tracheotomy. Voice was still hoarse due to tumor invasion of left recurrent laryngeal nerve. During a period of 2‐year follow‐up, no sign of tumor recurrence was observed. CONCLUSION: A free bipaddled posterior tibial artery perforator flap could be a decent choice for simultaneous reconstruction of large tracheal and esophageal defects.