title: Prevention of major and minor fistulae after laryngectomy.
abstract: Every Head and Neck surgeon has special techniques which he uses to get maximum rates of five-year survival and minimum fistula formation, especially major fistula and carotid rupture. The literature reflects a wide variation in the rate of fistula formation. We reviewed the senior author's prior 78 total laryngectomies and noted a fistula rate of 10.3% (6.4% minor fistulae and 3.9% major fistulae). We also reviewed contributing factors and discuss surgical techniques designed to minimize fistula formation.
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D005402:Fistula / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D037981:Neck Dissection / Q000009:adverse effects; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013997:Time Factors; D014140:Tracheotomy / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D006454:Hemoglobins