Many methods have been proposed for reconstruction of the larynx and trachea. An ideal method would utilize tissue which is native to the area, highly viable, convenient to the surgeon, and expendable to the patient. This tissue should be composite, that is, containing both epithelium and skeletal support. This paper describes the use of epiglottis in repair of laryngeal and tracheal defects due to cancer or trauma. The methods of repair include 1) pedicled composite epiglottic flap, 2) free composite epiglottic graft, and 3) pedicled epiglottic mucosal flap. Results in 15 patients are discussed and indicate that use of the epiglottis is an effective method for one-stage laryngotracheal reconstruction.
ThawleySEOguraJH. Use of the hyoid graft for treatment of laryngotracheal stenosis. Laryngoscope1981; 91: 226–32.
12.
FischerNDFryTLPillsburyHC. Tracheal reconstruction with pedicled thyroid cartilage. Laryngoscope1985; 95: 60–2.
13.
BoucheJFrecheCHHussonU. L'hémilaryngectomie avec épiglottoplastie. Ann Oto-Laryngol Chir Cervico-Fac1965; 82: 421–4.
14.
SedlacekK. Reconstructive anterior and lateral laryngectomy with the use of the epiglottis for the pedicle graft (English trans). Cesk Otolaryngol1965; 8: 328.
15.
TuckerHMWoodGBLevineHKatzR. Glottic reconstruction after near total laryngectomy. Laryngoscope1979; 89: 609–18.
16.
SchechterGL. Epiglottic reconstruction and subtotal laryngectomy. Laryngoscope1983; 93: 729–34.
17.
ThawleySE. Epiglottic reconstruction of the vocal cord following hemilaryngectomy. Laryngoscope1983; 93: 237–9.
18.
KennedyTL. Epiglottic reconstruction of laryngeal stenosis secondary to cricothyroidostomy. Laryngoscope1980; 90: 1130–6.
19.
SobolSMWoodBLevineHTuckerHM. Epiglottic laryngoplasty for complicated laryngeal stenosis. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol1981; 90: 409–11.
20.
SabriJA. Reconstruction of pharyngoesophagus using mucosa of epiglottis. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg1981; 89: 746–9.
21.
OlsonNR. Laryngeal suspension and epiglottic flap in laryngopharyngeal trauma. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol1976; 85: 533–8.
22.
QuinnHJ. Ten years experience with free tissue grafts for glottic reconstruction. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol1978; 86: 372–9.
23.
CaputoVConsiglioV. The use of patients own auricular cartilage to repair deficiency of the tracheal wall. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg1961; 41: 594–5.
24.
MorgensteinKM. Composite auricular graft in laryngeal reconstruction. Laryngoscope1972; 82: 844–7.
25.
LaurianNZoharY. Laryngeal reconstruction by composite nasal mucoseptal graft after partial laryngectomy. Three years follow-up. Laryngoscope1981; 91: 609–15.
26.
ToohillRJ. Autogenous graft reconstruction of the larynx and upper trachea. Otolaryngol Clin North Am1979; 4: 909–17.
27.
KirchnerJA ed. Pressman and Kelemen's physiology of the larynx. A manual prepared for the use of graduates in medicine. Rochester, Minn: American Academy of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology, 1970: 13.
28.
SwensonRWKoopermannCF. Grafts and implants. Otolaryngol Clin North Am1984; 17: 413–28.
29.
ClairmontAAConleyJJ. The uses and limitations of auricular composite grafts. J Otolaryngol1978; 1: 249–56.
30.
OlsonNR. Wound healing by primary intention in the larynx. Otolaryngol Clin North Am1979; 12: 735–40.
