Voice loss from structural defects
Post-laryngopharyngectomy reconstruction (swallowing & speech)
Other indications: trauma, radiation damage, or corrosive injury
This pioneering "free ileocolon flap" surgery, innovated by Prof. Hung-Chi Chen, utilizes the intestinal tract as a vocal generator. Featuring excellent vocal function, a high success rate, and low complication rates, it enables patients to speak normally, eat regularly, and regain social lives—fundamentally reconstructing their entire lives and marking a monumental milestone in global vocal reconstruction. With this world-class technique, our team actively promotes international medical services and clinical training. Compared to international peers, we hold an absolute leading position in both case volume and outcomes. By training global physicians, we showcase Taiwan's high-quality healthcare and expand its global impact. Furthermore, this technique has revolutionized tumor treatment. Backed by such robust reconstructive support, surgical oncologists can perform complete, radical tumor resections without back-end worries, significantly improving the overall quality of care.
Pioneer the free ileocolon flap technique to simultaneously reconstruct both swallowing and vocal functions.
Innovate the application of a seromuscular flap to enhance anastomotic stability and minimize leakage rates.
Anastomose the autonomic nerves governing the ileocolon flap with the cervical plexus, enabling patients to control the flap more easily for vocalization.
Standardize protocols across preoperative assessment, surgical procedures, postoperative care, and rehabilitation, ensuring comprehensive care and longitudinal follow-up by a multidisciplinary expert team.
Actively promote international medical services and advanced clinical fellowship training for overseas medical professionals.
A total of 205 case.
97% success rate in free ileocolon flap microsurgery.
Numerous patients continuously visit Professor Hung-Chi Chen's clinic for vocal cord and esophageal reconstruction consultations.
100% of patients achieved excellent recovery of swallowing function and can tolerate a semi-solid diet.
78% of patients demonstrated highly successful swallowing function for solid foods.
85% of patients attained good speech and vocal function.
With advanced rehabilitation protocols, 90% of patients successfully achieved good speech and vocal function.
Among the 205 patients, the flap success rate was 97%, with a fistula rate of 5.4%.
7 patients required exploratory re-laparotomy.
6 flap failures occurred (achieving a 0% failure rate after following surgical treatment and ICU care).
3 patients developed intestinal obstruction, 2 of whom required surgical adhesiolysis.
All surgical cases in our center are comprehensively followed up at the outpatient clinic.
Patients reported high satisfaction with both swallowing and vocal functions, with all 205 patients successfully achieving swallowing capability.
Over 80% of patients attained good speech and vocal function.
Our center has published a total of 27 papers on voice reconstruction using intestinal flaps, accounting for 90% of the total global publications in this field.
The success rate of the free ileocolon flap stands at 97%, significantly surpassing that achieved overseas; furthermore, the surgical volume and clinical outcomes of other international teams remain unmatched by our center.
To date, nearly 200 attending physicians from around the world have come to our hospital to learn from Professor Hung-Chi Chen, spreading his innovative surgical methods to benefit patients across many countries.
Through our International Medical Center, we accept patient referrals globally, showcasing Taiwan's top-tier medical services and sharing these advanced surgical milestones with the world.
Formulated standardized preoperative assessments, surgical procedures, and postoperative care protocols to significantly enhance the overall quality of medical care.
Established an integrated multidisciplinary team comprising physicians, nurse practitioners, physical therapists, and social workers to ensure patients receive comprehensive medical care and longitudinal rehabilitation.
Professor Hung-Chi Chen's team actively conducts international clinical fellowships, promoting this pioneering reconstructive technique globally to benefit a greater number of patients worldwide.
