Throat Reconstruction in China | West China Hospital Case

West China Hospital

For nine years, a patient from Bangladesh was unable to eat or drink normally. After undergoing multiple cancer treatments and reconstructive procedures in different countries, he depended entirely on a feeding tube for nutrition.

His condition was extraordinarily complex. Previous operations and repeated radiation therapy had left extensive damage to his throat and upper esophagus, along with severe scarring and poor blood circulation in his neck.

Despite years of searching for a solution, restoring his ability to eat remained an enormous surgical challenge.

In late 2025, the patient traveled to Chengdu, China, where a surgical team led by Professor Chen Fei at West China Hospital, Sichuan University, performed a complex reconstruction of his cervical esophagus and repaired a longstanding pharyngeal fistula.

Professor Chen Fei

According to a hospital report published on March 13, 2026, the patient subsequently recovered the ability to take liquids by mouth, and his feeding tube was removed after more than three months of recovery.

For someone who had spent nine years unable to swallow food normally, even a small amount of liquid represented an extraordinary milestone.

A 24-Year Journey Following Throat Cancer

The patient's medical history began in 2001, when he was diagnosed with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, a form of throat cancer.

Over the following years, he experienced cancer recurrences and underwent extensive treatment in Bangladesh and the United States, including major surgeries and two courses of high-dose radiation therapy.

Although the cancer was eventually brought under control, the cumulative damage from treatment was devastating.

He had lost essential structures in his throat and upper digestive tract, including his cervical esophagus, the portion of the esophagus located in the neck.

He also developed a persistent pharyngocutaneous fistula, an abnormal opening connecting the throat to the skin. This complication can prevent normal swallowing and may cause ongoing leakage, infections and wound-healing difficulties.

In 2016, surgeons in New York attempted to reconstruct the damaged area using an anterolateral thigh flap, a technique that transfers tissue from the thigh to another part of the body.

Unfortunately, the reconstruction failed. Poor blood circulation in the previously treated neck contributed to infection, tissue deterioration and the eventual loss of esophageal function.

From that point onward, the patient could no longer eat through his mouth. He relied on a gastrostomy feeding tube to receive nutrition directly into his stomach.

For the next nine years, his family continued searching internationally for a possible solution.

In November 2025, following recommendations from medical specialists, they traveled to West China Hospital in Chengdu.

Why Was His Condition So Difficult to Treat?

One of the greatest challenges was a condition sometimes described by surgeons as a "frozen neck."

After repeated major operations and radiation therapy, the tissues of the neck can become severely scarred, stiff and poorly supplied with blood.

In patients with extensive previous cancer treatment, this can make further reconstruction particularly difficult.

The patient's condition presented three major surgical challenges.

1. Extensive scarring from previous operations

Multiple surgeries and an unsuccessful reconstruction had significantly altered the normal anatomy of his neck. Identifying and protecting important structures during another operation would be exceptionally difficult.

2. Severe radiation-related tissue damage

The patient had received two courses of high-dose radiation therapy. Radiation-related fibrosis had reduced the flexibility of his neck tissues and damaged the local blood supply.

Healthy blood circulation is essential for healing and for the survival of reconstructed tissue.

3. Risk of life-threatening bleeding

Major blood vessels in the patient's neck were exposed, creating a serious risk of catastrophic bleeding if another reconstruction failed.

His cardiovascular health and nutritional status also needed careful consideration before surgery.

For these reasons, conventional surgical reconstruction was particularly challenging.

Medical research has similarly documented the difficulties of repairing persistent pharyngeal fistulas in patients who have previously undergone extensive radiation therapy and major head and neck surgery.

How West China Hospital Performed the Reconstruction

After assessing the patient's medical history and condition, Professor Fei Chen's team organized a multidisciplinary consultation involving specialists from several departments.

These included:

• Otolaryngology and head and neck surgery

• Cardiology

• Anesthesiology

• Clinical nutrition

• Medical imaging

The multidisciplinary team evaluated the surgical risks and developed an individualized treatment and perioperative care plan.

Rather than relying entirely on a conventional reconstruction method, the surgical team adopted a combination of techniques.

They reused tissue from a previously transferred free flap and combined it with composite tissue flaps from the neck, shoulder and chest regions.

By carefully arranging and connecting these tissue flaps, the surgeons reconstructed the missing cervical esophagus and repaired the longstanding pharyngeal fistula.

The operation lasted approximately three hours, with reported blood loss of less than 100 milliliters.

Despite the complexity of the procedure, the surgical team successfully completed the reconstruction while protecting the major blood vessels in the patient's neck.

The patient recovered sufficiently to leave the hospital in early December 2025 and returned to Bangladesh for further rehabilitation.

The Outcome: Oral Eating Restored After Nine Years

More than three months after the operation, the patient underwent follow-up assessment in Bangladesh.

According to West China Hospital's March 2026 report, endoscopic examination showed satisfactory healing of the repaired throat and esophageal tissues.

Most importantly, the patient had regained the ability to take liquid nutrition by mouth, allowing the feeding tube that had supported him for nine years to be removed.

This represented a significant improvement in his functional recovery and quality of life.

However, the hospital's publicly available report did not establish whether he had resumed a completely normal diet or could swallow solid foods without restriction.

The surgery also addressed complications of his previous cancer treatment rather than representing a new cure for the underlying cancer.

Although this was an encouraging result, it remains an individual case. Similar outcomes cannot be guaranteed for other patients with complex head and neck conditions.

Meet Professor Fei Chen: Specialist in Complex Head and Neck Surgery

Professor Fei Chen (陈飞) is a Chief Physician and Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at West China Hospital, Sichuan University.

He also serves as Director of the hospital's Center for Complex Head and Neck Tumor Surgery.

His clinical and research interests include advanced and recurrent head and neck tumors, salvage surgery, and functional reconstruction following extensive cancer treatment.

His areas of expertise include surgery and reconstruction involving the larynx, hypopharynx, cervical esophagus, trachea and other complex structures of the head and neck.

Professor Chen has also led pioneering work in laryngeal transplantation.

In April 2023, his team performed Asia's first total laryngeal transplantation, an important development in the field of head and neck reconstructive surgery.

His team has additionally undertaken complex multi-organ transplantation procedures involving structures of the throat and upper digestive tract.

These achievements reflect the team's experience in managing challenging cases in which conventional surgery may offer limited options.

The successful treatment of this Bangladeshi patient provides another example of their work in reconstructing severely damaged anatomical structures after cancer treatment.

Patient with Professor Chen Fei and his team

Could Similar Patients Benefit From Reconstructive Surgery?

Complex reconstruction of the throat and cervical esophagus is not a suitable treatment for everyone.

However, patients who have experienced severe complications after head and neck cancer treatment may benefit from assessment by a specialist team experienced in reconstructive surgery.

Such conditions may include:

• Persistent pharyngocutaneous fistulas following throat cancer surgery

• Severe swallowing difficulties after head and neck radiation therapy

• Damage or loss of the cervical esophagus

• Previous unsuccessful throat or esophageal reconstruction

• Extensive radiation-related scarring and tissue damage

• Long-term dependence on feeding tubes following head and neck cancer treatment

Treatment options vary considerably depending on the patient's condition.

Before considering further surgery, specialists must evaluate factors such as the extent of tissue damage, previous operations, remaining blood supply, cancer status, nutritional condition and overall surgical risk.

Some patients may require further investigations or medical treatment before surgery can even be considered. Others may not be suitable candidates for additional reconstruction.

The aim of a specialist assessment is to determine whether meaningful functional improvement is realistically possible and whether the potential benefits justify the risks.

Seeking Complex Head and Neck Treatment in China

China has major public tertiary hospitals with specialist departments dedicated to head and neck cancer surgery and reconstructive treatment.

West China Hospital in Chengdu is one example of a medical institution with experience in managing complex head and neck conditions.

For international patients considering treatment in China, an important first step is obtaining an appropriate specialist evaluation.

Patients with extensive medical histories should ideally prepare their previous records before making travel arrangements. These may include surgical reports, pathology findings, radiation treatment records, CT or MRI images, and details of previous reconstructive procedures.

These documents help specialists understand which treatments have already been attempted and assess whether further intervention may be possible.

In complex cases, an in-person examination may be necessary before a surgeon can determine whether treatment is feasible.

Traveling to China does not guarantee that surgery can be performed. Decisions about admission, investigations and treatment remain the responsibility of the treating hospital and medical team.

How China MedCare Can Help International Patients

For overseas patients, finding a suitable specialist in China can be challenging, particularly when their condition involves multiple previous operations or uncommon complications.

China MedCare is an independent medical coordination service that assists international patients seeking treatment at public hospitals in China.

Depending on the patient's medical needs, we can help identify appropriate hospitals and specialists, coordinate appointment requests, and provide practical assistance with medical arrangements in China.

For patients who have not yet decided whether to travel, we can also help explore the possibility of obtaining a specialist's opinion based on existing medical records.

Remote consultations are subject to the doctor's review and acceptance of the case. For particularly complex conditions, a specialist may decide that an in-person consultation is necessary instead.

Our role is to help patients access appropriate medical expertise and make more informed decisions about their next steps.

If you or a family member is experiencing severe swallowing problems, a persistent throat fistula, or complications following head and neck cancer treatment, you are welcome to contact China MedCare to discuss possible consultation arrangements in China.

Contact China MedCare via WhatsApp to discuss your medical needs.

Sources and Medical Disclaimer

Primary source: West China Hospital, Sichuan University. Breaking Through a Surgical Challenge: A Patient With Nine Years of "Frozen Neck" Regains Oral Eating. Published March 13, 2026.

Additional references: West China Hospital's official Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery and Professor Fei Chen's professional profile; published medical research on pharyngocutaneous fistula reconstruction after radiotherapy.

This article is based on publicly reported medical information and is provided for educational purposes. The patient case was treated and reported independently by West China Hospital; China MedCare was not involved in the patient's treatment. Outcomes from an individual case should not be interpreted as a guarantee of similar results. All medical decisions require assessment by qualified healthcare professionals.