Reconstruction with silicone rubber tube after resection of hypopharyngeal and cervical esophageal cancer

Objective: To treat the benign stenosis and defects caused by resection of cancers of hypopharyngeal and cervical esophagus.

Methods: Silicone rubber tubes made by ourselves were utilized to reconstruct the defect. It was found that in animal models, the granulation surface was covered with epithelial tissues and new lumen formed.

Results: Among 30 cases treated with silicone rubber tubes, 6 cases (20.0%) developed hypopharyngeal fistulae after operations. Twenty-five cases with cancer and 5 cases with benign stenoses and hypopharyngeal fistulae were followed-up from 5 months to 4 years. The silicone rubber tubes in 25 cases were decannulated, of them, 23 cases recovered normal swallowing function. Two cases developed severe stenosis again and 2 cases were under observation. In 25 cases with cancer, 2 had local relapse of cancer three to six months after the first operation. Four cases had cervical metastasis. All these 6 cases died within one year after operation. One case died of lung metastasis, two cases died of inflammation of lungs. Among 25 patients with cancers, the three-year survival rate was 50.0% (5/10).

Conclusions: For defects in hypopharynx and cervical esophagus less than 10 cm, silicone rubber tube reconstruction is satisfactory.