[Clinical outcome of conservative treatment for pharyngocutaneous fistula].

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.