title: Pharyngocutaneous fistulae following total laryngectomy.
abstract: Postoperative pharyngocutaneous fistula formation is a troublesome complication in head and neck surgery and occurred in 8 out of 53 patients following a total laryngectomy (15%). The incidence falls within the lower range of that reported in the literature (6-66%). Different factors which may influence the formation of fistulae were analysed. Factors which seem to increase fistula formation are previous full dose radiotherapy (Co60), residual carcinoma and surgical technique.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000209:etiology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000209:etiology*