PMC6614980_01
(a) Right neck with spine hardware (#) exposed with pharynx and esophagus ( ) being retracted medially. Common carotid artery (<) and internal jugular vein (>) are seen. (b) Inferiorly based SCM flap (*) covering the spine hardware and reinforcing the pharynx and esophageal repair.
IJOTO2019-7682654.001.jpg
PMC6614980_01_IJOTO2019-7682654.001.jpg
fig1
An SCM flap was the most common choice, while a pectoralis flap was used in cases where the initial SCM flap had failed, a large vertebral body defect at the site of hardware removal was present, or the esophageal perforation was too large (>3x3cm, or inability to reapproximate mucosal flaps without excessive tension) (Figure 1).