ISSN: 2572-4193 Bottini et al. J Otolaryngol Rhinol 2017, 3:032 DOI: 10.23937/2572-4193.1510032 Volume 3 | Issue 2 Journal of Open Access Otolaryngology and Rhinology CASE REPORT Epiglottis Reconstruction with Auricular Free Flap for Re- habilitation of Dysphagia: A Case Study Battista Bottini G1*, Brandtner C1, Rasp G2 and Gaggl A1 1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital, Private Medical University Paracelsus, Austria 2Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, University Hospital, Private Medical University Paracelsus, Check for updates Austria *Corresponding author: Gian Battista Bottini, MD, DMD, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Uni- versity Hospital, Private Medical University Paracelsus, 48 Muellner Hauptstrasse, 5020 Salzburg, Austria, Tel: +43(0)57255-57230, Fax: +43(0)57255-26499, E-mail:
[email protected] and requires a coordinated activity of nerves, muscles, Abstract the hyoid bone and the larynx [1]. The process can be Supraglottic laryngectomy for laryngeal cancer aims to remove divided in stages: oral pharyngeal and oesophageal [1]. cancer of the larynx whilst preserving its functions of airway protection, breathing and voice production. A well-known long- During the pharyngeal stage, the vocal cords adduct term complication of this procedure is aspiration. to seal the glottis and the arytenoid tilt forward to con- We present a case of a delayed epiglottis reconstruction tact the epiglottis base. with auricular free flap for surgical rehabilitation of dyspha- gia. Primarily the patient underwent supraglottic laryngecto- When the hyo-laryngeal complex is pulled in anterior my, bilateral neck dissection and radiotherapy. She had a and superior direction against the base of the tongue, permanent tracheostoma because of a complete paralysis the epiglottis, acting like a shield, tilts backwards and of the right vocal cord and a residual minimal mobility of the covers completely the glottis [1].