[Surgical treatment for squamous-cell carcinoma of the posterior pharyngeal wall: reconstruction with a free forearm flap].
Squamous-cell carcinoma of the posterior pharyngeal wall is a rare finding. Surgical treatment with preservation of laryngeal function is usually associated with relatively poor functional outcome. We report the cases of 5 patients treated by pharyngectomy with preservation of the laryngeal function. The posterior pharyngeal wall was reconstructed with a free forearm flap. This reconstruction method provided satisfactory functional results. Swallowing disorders resolved within 2 to 6 weeks following the reintroduction of oral food intake. Mean follow-up of nearly 3 years did not evidence any local tumor recurrence.