Ectopic Hair Growth After Flap Reconstruction of the Head and Neck

Abstract

A 53-year-old Peruvian man underwent total laryngopharyngectomy with tubed radial forearm free flap reconstruction for chondronecrosis of the larynx and pharynx that developed as a complication of radiation therapy. A tracheoesophageal fistula was created for speech rehabilitation. Two years later, he returned with complaints related to frequent trapping of small food particles in his hypopharyngeal segment, causing frequent food regurgitation, halitosis, and mild but bothersome intermittent dysphagia. He also complained of the frequent dysfunction of his tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis, which was caused by clogging of the valve mechanism by hair. Topical nystatin therapy provided no relief. Endoscopic examination of the reconstructed hypopharyngeal segment revealed prominent hair growth without evidence of stricture for