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Pharyngocutaneous fistula following total laryngectomy: a single institution’s 10-year experience

  • Laryngology
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Abstract

The etiology of postoperative pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) formation following major head and neck surgery is multifactorial and the incidence varies greatly. We reviewed retrospectively the records of 108 consecutive patients who underwent a total laryngectomy during the period from December 1992 to December 2002 at the Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. PCF occurred postoperatively in 19 (18%) patients. Two additional patients (2%) developed a PCF later than 30 days after laryngectomy. Nineteen percent of these patients with fistula formation had received previous radiation therapy and laryngectomy was performed for local recurrence. Eighteen (86%) of the all fistulae closed spontaneously and surgical closure of the fistula was performed in three (14%) cases. We conclude that the PCFs in our patient population occurred both in radiated and nonirradiated patients. Although most fistulae close spontaneously without surgical intervention this complication leads to prolonged hospitalization and increased patient morbidity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital, P.O. Box 220, 00029 HUCH, Helsinki, Finland

    Antti A. Mäkitie, Riina Niemensivu, Mari Hero, Harri Keski-Säntti, Leif Bäck, Hannu Lehtonen & Timo Atula

  2. Department of Oncology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, P.O. Box 220, 00029 HUCH, Helsinki, Finland

    Mikael Kajanti

Authors
  1. Antti A. Mäkitie
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  2. Riina Niemensivu
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  3. Mari Hero
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  4. Harri Keski-Säntti
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  5. Leif Bäck
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  6. Mikael Kajanti
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  7. Hannu Lehtonen
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  8. Timo Atula
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Correspondence to Antti A. Mäkitie.

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Mäkitie, A.A., Niemensivu, R., Hero, M. et al. Pharyngocutaneous fistula following total laryngectomy: a single institution’s 10-year experience. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 263, 1127–1130 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-006-0152-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-006-0152-5

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