Sternocleidomastoid muscle myocutaneous flap for corrosive pharyngoesophageal strictures

Background Strictures at the pharyngoesophageal junction represent a subgroup of corrosive esophageal strictures requiring a specialized management approach. Non-dilatable cricopharyngeal strictures need surgical intervention. We report the use of the sternocleidomastoid muscle myocutaneous inlay flap (SCMMIF) for reconstruction of the cervical esophagus in patients with corrosive strictures. Methods A SCMMIF was used in four patients with cricopharyngeal strictures. The surgical technique is described. All patients had complete dilatation of the stenosed cricopharyngeal segment as seen on postoperative endoscopy and contrast studies. One patient was managed successfully for a short midesophageal stricture by serial endoscopic dilatations. Another patient underwent an esophagocoloplasty subsequently for bypass of the long distal esophageal stricture The last two patients await esophagocoloplasty. Conclusions This is the first report on the use of sternocleidomastoid muscle myocutaneous inlay flap for corrosive cricopharyngeal strictures. The flap is simple to construct, is effective and can be performed in a short time, and yields good cosmetic results.