title: Repair of pharyngocutaneous fistula after total laryngectomy: A novel endoscopic approach.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) is a common and challenging complication of laryngectomy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of endoscopic repair of postlaryngectomy PCF.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five patients who underwent salvage laryngectomy complicated by PCF underwent endoscopic repair at a regional medical center between 2006 and 2013. Data were compiled through a manual chart review and demographic data, adjuvant treatment, comorbidities, and clinical course were all recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five patients underwent endoscopic repair of PCF. All patients had previously received radiation or chemoradiation therapy and underwent salvage total laryngectomy. The mean number of days to resumption of oral intake after endoscopic repair was 22 days. One patient required reoperation. No complications were noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endoscopic suture repair can be an effective method for treating PCF with less morbidity than flap reconstruction or conservative wound management.
authors.affiliation: Our Lady of the Lake Voice Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.|Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana.
authors.forename: Daniel S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Fink
authors.affiliation: Our Lady of the Lake Voice Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Peña
authors.affiliation: Our Lady of the Lake Voice Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
authors.forename: Duncan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hanby
authors.affiliation: Our Lady of the Lake Voice Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.|Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana.|Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
authors.forename: Melda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kunduk
authors.affiliation: Our Lady of the Lake Voice Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.|Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana.
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: McWhorter
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017577:Cutaneous Fistula / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D013537:Sutures
keywords: endoscopic; fistula; laryngectomy; pharyngocutaneous; reconstruction