title: Method for removing hypopharyngeal salivary bypass tubes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe a novel method for the removal of the salivary bypass tube (SBT) that precludes the need for extraction under general anesthesia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients who had undergone laryngectomy/laryngopharyngectomy with subsequent development of pharyngocutaneous fistula and intraoperative placement of a salivary bypass tube were included in this series. The tubes were removed at the bedside or in clinic utilizing a Fogarty-type method over a Foley catheter.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three patients underwent removal of hypopharyngeal salivary bypass tubes 1 to 2 weeks after placement. Inflation of the Foley catheter within the lumen of the salivary bypass tube facilitated successful removal without the need for additional procedures. All three patients required only topical anesthetic and tolerated the procedure with minimal discomfort.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared to current methods, this technique is cost-effective and time-efficient while not compromising patient safety or comfort.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294-0012, USA.
authors.forename: Alexandra E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Kejner
authors.forename: Eben L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Rosenthal
mesh_terms: D000768:Anesthesia, General; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D015331:Cohort Studies; D017577:Cutaneous Fistula / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D020878:Device Removal / Q000379:methods*; D004322:Drainage / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007440:Intubation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D010611:Pharyngectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012463:Saliva; D012469:Salivary Glands; D016896:Treatment Outcome