Hirsute esophagus: Clinical and roentgen features

Clinical and roentgen features of hirsute esophagus in 3 patients are described. Exuberant hair growth and masses of hair in the endopharyngoesophagus produced the classic clinical triad of progressive dysphagia, hair-spitting, and choking spells. This unique and rare complication of reconstructive surgery of the pharynx and esophagus is related to the skin flaps which are mobilized and rotated to reconstruct a skin tube endopharyngoesophagus and to restore anatomical continuity of the gastrointestinal tract.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/48159/1/261_2005_Article_BF01887855.pd

Second primary squamous cell carcinoma arising in cutaneous flap reconstructions of two head and neck cancer patients

Early complications of myocutaneous flap transfers following surgical eradication of head and neck tumors have been extensively described. However, knowledge concerning long-term complications of these techniques remains limited. We report the cases of two patients with a prior history of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC), who developed a second primary SCC on the cutaneous surface of their flaps, years after reconstruction. Interestingly, it seems that the well-known risk of a second primary SCC in patients with previous head and neck carcinoma also applies to foreign tissues implanted within the area at risk. Given the important expansion of these interventions, this type of complication may become more frequent in the future. Therefore, long-term follow-up of patients previously treated for HNSCC not only requires careful evaluation of the normal mucosa of the upper aero-digestive tract, but also of the cutaneous surface of the flap used for reconstruction

Complex reconstructions in head and neck cancer surgery: decision making

Defects in head and neck after tumor resection often provide significant functional and cosmetic deformity. The challenge for reconstruction is not only the aesthetic result, but the functional repair. Cancer may involve composite elements and the in sano resection may lead to an extensive tissue defect. No prospective randomized controlled studies for comparison of different free flaps are available. There are many options to cover defects and restore function in the head and neck area, however we conclude from experience that nearly all defects in head and neck can be closed by 5 different free flaps: radial forearm flap, free fibula flap, anterior lateral thigh flap, lateral arm flap and parascapular flap