title: Early detection and treatment of postoperative pharyngocutaneous fistula.
abstract: Fever during the early postoperative period traditionally has not been considered an indication of a postoperative wound infection or breakdown. Atelectasis is considered the most likely source for these early fevers. We studied 200 consecutive patients who underwent major head and neck surgery that involved reconstruction with a pharyngeal suture line. Patients were divided into 2 groups: those who had preoperative irradiation and those who did not. All patients had prophylactic antibiotic coverage, and all patients had identical suture material for closure. We showed a high correlation between fever (>101.5 degrees F) that developed in the first 48 hours and eventual fistula formation and wound infection. We also studied length of hospitalization and number of days until decannulation and resumption of oral feedings. Our data indicate that in those patients in whom fistulas developed, early detection led to earlier healing and rehabilitation.
authors.affiliation: State University of New York, Syracuse, New York, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Friedman
authors.forename: T K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Venkatesan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yakovlev
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Tanyeri
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Caldarelli
mesh_terms: D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D017577:Cutaneous Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005335:Fever of Unknown Origin / Q000209:etiology; D005402:Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D010039:Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology