title: Repair of nonmalignant postlaryngectomy pharyngotracheal fistula.
abstract: The repair of nonmalignant postlaryngectomy pharyngotracheal fistulae is not commonly encountered in medical literature. This rare complication can occur years after laryngectomy for cancer and reconstruction of a neopharynx, and is often associated with adjuvant radiation to the area, making the choice of method for surgical repair critical for success. Optimally, a pedicled myofascial flap from the pectoralis major muscle, from outside the field of radiation, is used to reinforce the repair of the fistula. We present 2 rare cases.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology, University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California 95817, USA.
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Kucejko
authors.forename: Quang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Luu
authors.forename: Royce F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Calhoun
authors.forename: David T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Cooke
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005402:Fistula / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D016156:Respiratory Tract Fistula / Q000209:etiology*; D014133:Tracheal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*