Successful endoscopic recanalization of complete pharyngoesophageal obstruction after therapy of head and neck cancer.

BACKGROUND: Neopharyngeal obstruction after therapy of head and neck cancer is a frequent and clinically challenging problem without evidence-based guideline recommendations. CASE: We present two cases of complete esophageal obstruction after treatment for head and neck cancer. Due to complete obstruction of long distance stricture standard dilatation procedures were impossible to perform. In both cases, recanalization was achieved by combining an antegrade with a retrograde maneuver. In one patient endoscopic cutting with a papillotome was needed. CONCLUSION: Even in complex cases of post-therapeutic stenosis an endoscopic approach may offer a feasible alternative to surgical therapy, especially in the subset of frail patients.