Leakage around voice prosthesis in laryngectomees: treatment with local GM-CSF.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of treating leakage around voice prosthesis by local injection of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF).


METHODS
Three patients with nonhealing leaking tracheoesophageal (TE) fistula, resistant to common treatment, were treated with local GM-CSF.


METHODS
Fistula size was measured and photo documented before and after treatment.


RESULTS
In all three patients, the fistula shrank, and the leakage ceased. No side effects were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Local injection with GM-CSF seems to be a simple and effective way of decreasing a leaking TE-fistula in laryngectomized patients. A great advantage was that the procedure could be done with the voice prosthesis in place.
Margolin
G
G
Department of Othorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Karolinska Hospital, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden. gregory.margolin@ks.se
Masucci
G
G
Kuylenstierna
R
R
Björck
G
G
Hertegård
S
S
Karling
J
J
D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D007825:Laryngectomy; D007831:Larynx, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor