title: Hairy intraoral flap--an unusual indication for laser epilation: a series of 5 cases and review of the literature.
abstract: A variety of the flaps used to reconstruct defects of the head and neck region following surgery for malignant disease contain hair follicles that may result in unwanted hair growth. This can cause significant distress to the patients in a variety of ways. We report 5 cases of significant intraoral hair growth of which 4 cases were successfully managed with long-pulsed alexandrite laser. One patient was not treated due to technical difficulties. We review the literature on the management of hair growth on intraoral flaps.
authors.affiliation: The Birmingham Skin Centre, Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, Dudley Road, Birmingham B18 7QH, United Kingdom. tangngee@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: Tang Ngee
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Shim
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abdullah
authors.forename: Sean
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lanigan
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Avery
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D002828:Choristoma / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006197:Hair / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000528:radiation effects; D006204:Hair Removal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008339:Mandibular Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D008441:Maxillary Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000473:pathology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D009232:Myxoma / Q000601:surgery; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery