title: Fistulae following laryngectomy in patients treated with irradiation.
abstract: The development of fistulae following 197 consecutive laryngectomies performed from 1980 to 1987 have been examined. Fistulae were present in 28 patients (14 per cent). Age, T-classification, daily level of radiation dose and the time lapse between diagnosis and operation did not seem to influence the rate of fistula development. The study indicates that there is a two to three per cent risk of fistula development when a primary laryngectomy is performed. Fistula formation increased to about 10 to 12 per cent following radiotherapy, with an additional increase whenever previous operations on the neck had been done and/or if the disease demanded more extensive surgery. The study also indicates that the risk for fistula development is less when an experienced surgeon performs the operation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, National Hospital, University of Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Natvig
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boysen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tausjø
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D017577:Cutaneous Fistula / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007012:Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012307:Risk Factors