OBJECTIVE: To analyze the conservative management and outcomes of pharyngocutaneous fistula after total laryngectomy. METHOD: Twenty-one patients with postoperative fistulas were identified and treated by conservative therapy. RESULT: Different treatment were given basing on the three stages of pharyngocutaneous fistula: drainage and cleaning stage, pressure bandaging stage and healing stage. Fourteen patients (66.7%) with the conservative therapy resumed oral feeding after closure of fistula, the other 7 patients had to be cured by further operation. CONCLUSION Management basing on the stages of pharyngocutaneous fistula can achieve satisfied outcome. It can provide important information for pharyngocutaneous fistula's treatment.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; surgery ; Cutaneous Fistula ; therapy ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Laryngectomy ; adverse effects ; Pharyngeal Diseases ; therapy ; Postoperative Complications ; therapy