Pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) is a common complication following total laryngectomy, significantly affecting patients' postoperative courses. Its management is challenging, encompassing a broad spectrum of approaches, ranging from conservative measures to more invasive surgical interventions. A 75-year-old male status post salvage total laryngectomy with modified radical bilateral neck dissection after failure of definitive radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx developed an incomplete pharyngocutaneous fistula postoperatively. Despite the conservative care during postoperative care, the incomplete fistula didn’t resolve after a month. Through rigid pharyngoesophagoscopy, polyethylene glycol hydrogel was injected into the orifice of the fistula. A follow-up barium swallow study four weeks post-intervention revealed complete resolution of the fistula. Polyethylene glycol hydrogel sealant, primarily approved for neurosurgical and spinal applications, can be considered off-label for the management of pharyngocutaneous fistulas.
Basiari et al. (Wed,) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: