Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Infection as a causative agent of fistula formation following total laryngectomy for advanced head & neck cancer.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this paper was to investigate the impact of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) infection in the aetiology of pharyngo-cutaneous fistula (PCF) formation following total laryngectomy for advanced laryngeal cancer.


METHODS
This was a retrospective uncontrolled case study series of 31 consecutive patients based in a single institution tertiary referral head and neck oncology centre.


RESULTS
Pharyngo-cutaneous fistulas (PCF) following total laryngectomy occurred in 10 (32%) patients. MRSA was identified in 80% of patients with a PCF compared to 9% of patients that did not develop a fistula (p = 0.0001255 Fisher exact test). MRSA infection (p = 0.00012) and previous radiotherapy (p = 0.00025) were the only significant factors found to be important in fistula formation on multivariate analysis. Post-operative infections such as cellulitis, chest infection and carotid fistula were also associated with MRSA infections.


CONCLUSIONS
MRSA infection following total laryngectomy for laryngeal cancer can lead to potential serious complications such as PCF. Patients who underwent total laryngectomy following radiotherapy failure are at a higher risk of acquiring MRSA.
Jeannon
Jean-Pierre
JP
Department of Ear Nose & Throat - Head and Neck Surgery, Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK. jean-pierre.jeannon@gstt.nhs.uk
Orabi
Ahmad
A
Manganaris
Argyris
A
Simo
Ricard
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017577:Cutaneous Fistula / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000382:microbiology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology