title: [Use of a linear stapler device in total laryngectomy].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the value of using a linear stapler device for the closure of the pharynx during total laryngectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen total laryngectomies were performed between August 2010 and December 2011, during the operation, the TA 60 linear stapler was used for pharyngeal closure. Among these patients, two patients had the history of pre-operative radiotherapy, four patients recurred after radiotherapy, ten patients were treated for the first time. 100 ml methylene blue was injected into the newly closed laryngopharyngeal cavity through the nasopharyngeal breather pipe for checking up whether it was watertight or not.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the sixteen patients, methylene blue leakage from the mucosal joint of the gular cavity closed by the stapler were not found in fifteen patients, it was only found in one patient. The transudatory places were sutured with absorbable Vicryl sutures. This patient healed well without pharyngocutaneous fistula. Negative surgical margins were achieved in all patients. No patient needed to be transferred to open surgery. Using a linear stapler device in total laryngectomy, 45 minutes could be saved as compaired to manual suture. One patient developed a light pharyngocutaneous fistula. The incidence of pharyngocutaneous fistula was 6.25% (1/16).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This stapled closed technique for pharyngoplasty is efficient, eliminates the risk of wound contamination, saves operation time and decreases the incidence of pharyngocutaneous fistula. This technique can be recommended as alternative for repairing the pharynx in patients undergoing total laryngectomy.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Cancer Center of SUN Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China.
authors.forename: Xue-kui
authors.initials: XK
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Wei-wei
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Qiu-li
authors.initials: QL
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Quan
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xin-rui
authors.initials: XR
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Zhu-ming
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Zong-yuan
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Zeng
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013528:Surgical Staplers