title: Voice prosthesis insertion after endoscopic balloon-catheter dilatation in case of a stenotic hypopharyngo-oesophageal junction.
abstract: Stenosis of the hypopharyngo-oesophageal junction can be a rare complication of laryngectomy and/or partial pharyngectomy and makes the insertion of voice prosthesis extremely difficult. This study describes the authors' experiences gained by endoscopic balloon-catheter dilatation of hypopharyngo-oesophageal stenoses prior to implantation of voice prostheses in four cases. In two patients a single balloon-catheter dilatation resulted in wide enough pharyngo-oesophageal lumen on the long run. The average prosthesis wearing-times were 6.8 months in case 1 and 4.6 months in case 2, corresponding to the published literature data. In case 3, repeated dilatation of the pharyngo-oesophageal transition had proved to be unsuccessful despite taking every effort with the endoscopic balloon-catheter method. Having excised the stenotic segment, reconstruction with pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (PMMF) was indicated. Eighteen months later, a repeated restenosis was observed and a free jejunal flap needed to be performed as a final solution. In case 4, the insertion was carried out into a previously dilated jejunal free flap, which became gradually ischemic and stenotic since the major head-and neck procedure was carried out that resulted in prosthesis rejection after just 1 week. The authors emphasize that correct indication of pedicled and free flaps in head and neck reconstruction is a prerequisite from the aspect of prevention of pharyngo-oesophageal strictures. Endoscopic balloon-catheter dilatation is a safe and established method for dilatating hypopharyngo-oesophageal stenoses of different origin. The procedure provides maximum patient benefit with minimal trauma and morbidity; moreover, facilitates insertion of voice prostheses. However, a single balloon-catheter dilatation cannot always result in wide enough oesophageal lumen on the long run (case 3). Insertion of a voice prosthesis into a previously dilated ischemic jejunal segment is challenging and avoidable due to risks of complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Medical School, University of Pécs, and Department of Gastroenterology, Baranya County Hospital, Pécs, Hungary.
authors.forename: Péter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Móricz
authors.forename: Imre
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gerlinger
authors.forename: Jeno
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Solt
authors.forename: Krisztina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Somogyvári
authors.forename: József
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pytel
mesh_terms: D002404:Catheterization; D049631:Esophageal Sphincter, Upper; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007013:Hypopharynx; D007831:Larynx, Artificial; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*