A 61-year-old man was admitted to our clinic due to progressive dysphagia over the
past 4 weeks. He had a history of laryngeal cancer. After failure of radiation therapy
9 months previously, total laryngectomy and bilaterally selective neck dissection
had been carried out. Pectoralis major myocutaneous flap reconstruction resulted in
the postoperative complication pharyngocutaneous fistula, 3 months after the operation.
Esophageal endoscopic examination revealed an intact skin graft in the hypopharynx
and proximal esophagus, with the epithelial surface bearing hair, as well as a proximal
esophageal stricture ([Fig. 1]). Apart from the flap, cervical computed tomography revealed no pathological concerns
([Fig. 2]). Endoscopic dilation of the stricture resulted in improvement of symptoms.
Fig. 1 Esophageal endoscopic view in a 61-year-old man with progressive dysphagia, showing
the intact skin graft in the proximal esophagus with the epithelial surface bearing
hair.
Fig. 2 Sagittal (a) and horizontal (b) cervical computed tomography scans showing nothing of note apart from the myocutaneous
flap.
Current treatment of laryngeal and pharyngeal tumors involves a combination of radiation
therapy, chemotherapy, and radical surgical resection. With extensive surgical resection,
deltopectoral or pectoralis major flaps are frequently used to restore/reconstruct
both the anatomy and function of the operative area [1]
[2]. The reconstructed tube is formed by rotating the skin flap, with the flap placed
in the cervical region with the raw surface on the spine and the skin turned on itself,
so that the outer epithelial surface becomes the inner lining. However, the epithelial
surfaces of flaps may bear hair, particularly in males, and may result in a “hairy
esophagus” [3], which further could give rise to the sensation of dysphagia.
Although hair growth has been reported to cease spontaneously within 6 – 12 months
of surgery, on rare occasions it may persist. Where the hair growth in the endopharynx-esophagus
is exuberant, patients present with progressive dysphagia, hair-spitting, and choking
episodes due to the masses of hair [3]. The endoscopic solution is complex, and bougienage dilatation and hair removal
using forceps and/or scissors have been reported [3]
[4]. Radiation therapy has been used to treat secondary dysphagia due to excessive hair
growth [2]
[3].
Endoscopy_UCTN_Code_CCL_1AB_2AC_3AH