Pharyngeal Reconstruction Methods to Reduce the Risk of Pharyngocutaneous Fistula After Primary Total Laryngectomy: A Scoping Review.

INTRODUCTION: The most common early postoperative complication after total laryngectomy (TL) is pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF). Rates of PCF are higher in patients who undergo salvage TL compared with primary TL. Published meta-analyses include heterogeneous studies making the conclusions difficult to interpret. The objectives of this scoping review were to explore the reconstructive techniques potentially available for primary TL and to clarify which could be the best technique for each clinical scenario. METHODS: A list of available reconstructive techniques for primary TL was built and the potential comparisons between techniques were identified. A PubMed literature search was performed from inception to August 2022. Only case-control, comparative cohort, or randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies were included. RESULTS: A meta-analysis of seven original studies showed a PCF risk difference (RD) of 14% (95% CI 8-20%) favoring stapler closure over manual suture. In a meta-analysis of 12 studies, we could not find statistically significant differences in PCF risk between primary vertical suture and T-shaped suture. Evidence for other pharyngeal closure alternatives is scarce. CONCLUSION: We could not identify differences in the rate of PCF between continuous and T-shape suture configuration. Stapler closure seems to be followed by a lower rate of PCF than manual suture in those patients that are good candidates for this technique.

Efficacy of pectoralis major muscle flap for pharyngocutaneous fistula prevention in salvage total laryngectomy: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The role of pectoralis major muscle flap (PMMF) in reducing the rate of pharyngocutaneous fistula after salvage total laryngectomy has not been clearly established. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of PMMF in reducing pharyngocutaneous fistula rates after total laryngectomy. METHODS: The analyzed intervention was the use of a PMMF after total laryngectomy. RESULTS: Pharyngocutaneous fistula occurred in 230 cases (global incidence, 30.9%). In the group of patients who underwent PMMFs, there were 49 cases of pharyngocutaneous fistula, compared with 181 cases in the control group. There was a 22% decreased risk of pharyngocutaneous fistula incidence in the PMMF group (p < .001). Patients who underwent a PMMF had lower risk of pharyngocutaneous fistula compared with the control group (p = .008). There were no changes when only patients who underwent total laryngectomy (p < .001) and those who underwent total pharyngolaryngectomy (p = .007) were separately assessed. CONCLUSION: Prophylactic use of PMMF decreases the incidence of pharyngocutaneous fistula after salvage total laryngectomy. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E2317-E2321, 2016.

Use of the nasogastric tube after total laryngectomy: is it truly necessary?

The nasogastric tube has been routinely used to feed the patient during the first postoperative days after a total laryngectomy. In the last 21 years the author has performed 625 total laryngectomies without using the feeding tube. With this procedure oral feeding could be started during the third postoperative day, making the patient more comfortable and confident. In addition, the hospital stay was shortened. It was also observed that the incidence of pharyngeal fistulas (9%) was comparable to that of other reports in the literature.