title: Sealing of small postlaryngectomy pharyngocutaneous fistulas with voice prosthesis.
abstract: Pharyngocutaneous fistulas (PCFs) following total laryngectomy is a common complication. The standard therapy is conservative management, and if this is not successful, surgical closure. There is a group of patients with limited survival chance who have small PCFs. In these patients who are not candidates for surgery, sealing of the PCF with a voice prosthesis can significantly improve the functionality of these patients allowing them to swallow and phonate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Oncology and Surgery, The Netherlands Cancer Institute, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. b.karakullukcu@nki.nl
authors.forename: M Baris
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Karakullukcu
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Lohuis
authors.forename: Michiel W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: van den Brekel
authors.forename: Frans J M
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Hilgers
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D017577:Cutaneous Fistula / Q000601:surgery*; D005402:Fistula / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007825:Laryngectomy; D007831:Larynx, Artificial; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps