The wound amylase concentration in the prediction of pharyngocutaneous fistula.
Pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) is not uncommon after laryngeal surgery. Because it leads to prolonged hospitalization and increased patient morbidity, it is important to predict the formation of fistula. We studied the wound amylase concentrations of 87 consecutive laryngectomized patients. The PCF rate was 11.5% in this series. The amylase levels in patients with PCF begin to elevate significantly on the third, fourth, and fifth postoperative days. Our data indicate that increase in the wound amylase levels seems to be a significant predictor of PCF, and this should alert the surgeon for the presence of fistula.
Department of Otolaryngology, Cukurova University Medical Faculty, Balcal, Adana, Turkey. lbaydogan@hotmail.com
L Barlas
LB
Aydoğan
Mete
M
Kiroğlu
Ulku
U
Tuncer
Levent
L
Soylu
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000681:Amylases / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007825:Laryngectomy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010614:Pharynx; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012867:Skin; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000201:enzymology*
D000681:Amylases