Risk factor of pharyngocutaneous fistula

Pharyngocutaneous fistula is the most frequent complication of primary and secondary laryngectomy and pharyngolaryngectomy. It has an important impact on the patient, his entourage and the healthcare team. The risk factors for pharyngostoma are multiple and its treatment is not codified.

To identify the various factors that may predispose to this complication and to describe the different therapeutic means to control it.

This retrospective study examined 68 cases of laryngeal cancer treated by total laryngectomy or pharyngolaryngectomy at Salah Azaїez's head and neck oncologic surgery department between 2015 and 2017.

Most of our patients were male (97%) who were major consumer of tobacco and alcohol. The most common stage were T4aN0M0 (34%) and T4aN1M0 (22%). Regarding treatment, we found that 73.5% of patients were operated on by total laryngectomy, 17.7% of patients were operated on by total pharyngolaryngectomy and 8.8% of patients were operated on by square laryngectomy. Pharyngostoma was diagnosed in 20.5% of cases within an average of 15 days. Among the risk factors studied, those that were statistically correlated with the occurrence of CPF in univariate studies were pre-laryngeal infiltration (p = 0.006), postoperative CRP level (p= 0.017), extension to piriform recess (p = 0.009), TNM stage (p=0.039), an associated thyroid surgery (p = 0.020) and pharyngeal closure under tension (p=0.000). In multivariate studies, five of the risk factors identified in the univariate analysis were found. This testifies to their major role as a risk factor for pharyngostoma. These factors were pre-laryngeal infiltration (p=0.001), postoperative CRP level (p=0.000), piriform recess involvement (p=0.004) Associated thyroid surgery (p=0.012) and pharyngeal closure under tension (p = 0.000).

By identifying predictive factors for pharyngostoma, we can identify patients in which this complication may occur and manage the medical care means to prevent it more efficiently.