A Case of Tracheal Defect Reconstruction Using Anterolateral Thigh Free Flap in Patients with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Invading Tracheal Cartilage / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

When a well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma invades the adjacent organ, the treatment of choice is en bloc surgical resection. After tracheal resection, the tracheal defect can be repaired in various ways. Depending on the invasion depth of the tumor or the defect circumference of the trachea, primary closure, reconstruction of surrounding muscles, or end-to-end anastomosis can be used. A 70-year-old man was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer with tracheal invasion. The patient was treated by total thyroidectomy with tracheal window resection of the invading trachea. The defect was reconstructed with an anterolateral thigh free flap. At 12 months after surgery, the patient leads a social life without any discomfort and has an acceptable voice. This case is reported along with associated techniques and reviews of related articles.