title: An unusual cause of dysphagia following total laryngectomy.
abstract: A case of dysphagia following wide-field total laryngectomy with excision of the overlying skin is presented. Initial investigation as to the cause of the dysphagia proved fruitless. Mechanical compression of an adequate-sized neopharynx by the "band-like effect" created by the skin closure was hypothesized to be the etiology of the dysphagia. Release of the scar contracture and resurfacing with a pectoralis major myocutaneous flap reestablished an adequate-sized hypopharynx and normal deglutition.
authors.affiliation: St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Elizabeth, NJ 07208, USA.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Bergman
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pallant
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bleier
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D004106:Dilatation; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D013524:Surgical Flaps