Pharyngocutaneous fistula in laryngectomized patients

Abstract

Introduction: According to the health statistics yearbook, laryngeal cancer ranks eighth in Cuba and the complication most feared by surgeons is pharyngocutaneous fistula. The appearance of this complication is attributed to different factors, finding few reports on its relationship with the suture material and the type of mucosal closure performed during the intervention. Objective: To determine the prevalence of pharyngocutaneous fistula in relation to the suture material and the type of closure of the pharyngeal mucosa in laryngectomized patients. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective and analytical study of adult patients who underwent laryngectomies at the "Joaquín Albarrán Domínguez" clinical-surgical hospital, in the period between 2018 and 2021, was carried out. Variables were considered; sociodemographics, previous comorbidities, and factors related to the suture material and type of closure used. Results: Fifty-six laryngectomized patients were studied, 92% males between the ages of 60 and 69, the most common toxic habit was tobacco with 58.92%, for pharyngitis 67.85% was with interrupted suture technique. slow absorption (71.42%) and 8.92% presented pharyngocutaneous fistula. Conclusions: The prevalence of pharyngocutaneous fistula was higher in patients with rapidly absorbed suture material and continuous closure technique.