title: Use of becaplermin in the closure of pharyngocutaneous fistulas.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We report on the contribution of recombinant platelet-derived growth factor-BB (becaplermin) in treating recalcitrant postlaryngectomy fistulas in two patients with head and neck cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Topical becaplermin was applied daily, with periodic wound assessment and photodocumentation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The two patients with persistent fistula refractory to conventional management have demonstrated rapid improvement after topical application of becaplermin. Each wound exhibited an exuberant granulation response, with a 50% decrease in the size of wound at 1 week. The patients experienced eventual closure, with none having local recurrence of their cancer at 2 years' follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Becaplermin seems to be a promising addition to traditional methods of treatment for postlaryngectomy fistulas. In patients with delayed healing, future studies will be required to determine the overall efficacy of such biologic response modifiers in the treatment of pharyngocutaneous fistulas and other chronic wounds of the head and neck.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Montefiore Medical Center, 3400 Bainbridge Avenue, Bronx, NY 10467, USA.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Jakubowicz
authors.forename: Richard V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077214:Becaplermin; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D017577:Cutaneous Fistula / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D020574:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D020574:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D000077214:Becaplermin