Intraoral paratrichosis after autograft

Abstract

Background: Radial graft is one of the optimal treatments for reconstruction after tongue cancer, but it is not free of side effects. Hypertrichosis over the graft, causing an intraoral paratrichosis, might downgrade the quality of life and even require further interventions. Clinical case: The case is presented of a 58 year-old man, who developed hypertrichosis after surgery for tongue carcinoma. Discussion: The therapeutic options, from choosing a graft from less hairy areas to laser depilation or de-epithelisation of the graft are discussed. Conclusions: Intraoral paratrichosis is a serious complication that can produce dysphagia, nauseas, and vomiting, and can evolve into mal nutrition and produce an important decrease in life quality of our patients.