title: Predictive factors for pharyngocutaneous fistulization after total laryngectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Postoperative complications, especially pharyngocutaneous fistulization (PCF), are more frequent after total laryngectomy (TL) performed for salvage after (chemo)radiotherapy than after primary TL. The aim of this study was to identify the incidence of PCF, predictive factors for PCF, and the relationship of PCF to survival.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective chart review of 217 consecutive patients treated with TL between 2000 and 2010. Univariate and multivariable analysis with logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with PCF. We used a Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall incidence of PCF was 26.3% (57 of 217 cases). The incidence of PCF after primary TL was 17.1% (12 of 70), that after salvage TL was 25.5% (25 of 98), that after TLE for a second primary was 37.5% (9 of 24), and that after TL for a dysfunctional larynx was 44.0% (11 of 25). The predictive factors for PCF were hypopharynx cancer (odds ratio [OR], 3.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.74 to 7.71; P = .001), an albumin level of less than 40 g/L (OR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.12 to 4.33; P = .022), previous chemoradiotherapy (OR, 3.38; 95% CI, 1.34 to 8.52; P = .010), more-extended pharyngeal resection (P = .001), and pharynx reconstruction (P = .002). The median duration of survival was 30 months (95% CI, 17.5 to 42.5); the 2-year overall survival rate was 54%. The median duration of survival of patients with PCF was 23 months (95% CI, 9.4 to 36.6), and that of those without PCF was 31 months (95% CI, 15.0 to 47.0; P = .421). The 2-year overall survival rate was 48% in patients with PCF and 57% in those without PCF (P = .290).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Incidence of PCF after TL is significantly higher in patients with hypopharynx cancer, previous chemoradiotherapy, a low albumin level, more-extended pharyngeal resection, or pharynx reconstruction. The occurrence of PCF does not influence the rate of survival.
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Oncology and Surgery, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Adriana J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Timmermans
authors.forename: Liset
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lansaat
authors.forename: Eleonoor A R
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Theunissen
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hamming-Vrieze
authors.forename: Frans J M
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Hilgers
authors.forename: Michiel W M
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: van den Brekel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D059248:Chemoradiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D017577:Cutaneous Fistula / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016156:Respiratory Tract Fistula / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016879:Salvage Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D015996:Survival Rate
keywords: chemoradiotherapy; pharyngocutaneous fistula; predictive factor; radiotherapy; total laryngectomy