title: Complications of pharyngostomy.
abstract: An account is given of a fatal complication following the use of a pharyngostomy feeding tube. The literature on this topic is reviewed with regard to complications. Of the 671 patients that have been reported previously there have been no fatal or serious complications and minor complications were reported in only 42 patients. We regard the technique of pharyngostomy to be safe but recommendations are made to avoid the complication reported here.
authors.affiliation: Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Middlesbrough General Hospital, Cleveland.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Edge
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Langdon
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001158:Arteries; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D010613:Pharyngostomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D010614:Pharynx / Q000098:blood supply