title: Comparison of outcomes for staple and conventional closure of the pharynx following total laryngectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Closure of the wall of the pharynx is an important step in the total laryngectomy operation. An inadequate closure results in tissue contamination, wound infection, and the development of pharyngo-cutaneous fistula.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the outcomes of neo-pharyngeal closure after total laryngectomy by stapler compared with conventional techniques.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective descriptive study of patients undergoing total laryngectomy with either pharyngeal stapling or suturing between January 2007 and December 2011.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-six patients had pharyngeal stapling, while another twenty-six had a conventional pharyngeal closure. The operative time was significantly less in the stapler group (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pharyngeal stapling might be an alternative technique for total laryngectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, Rajavithi Hospital, College of Medicine, Rangsit University, Bangkok, Thailand. drpakdee@gmail.com
authors.forename: Phakdee
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sannikorn
authors.forename: Natita
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pornniwes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010614:Pharynx / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017792:Surgical Stapling; D016896:Treatment Outcome