Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2025
Author Spotlight: Investigating Wound Healing in Mice Models of Oronasal Fistulas
Published on: September 8, 2023
Application of Biomaterials for the Prevention of Pharyngeal Fistulae: A Systematic Review
Emilien Chabrillac1,2, Audrey Tourrette2, Michel Habib2
1Department of Surgery, University Cancer Institute of Toulouse, Toulouse, France.
Background:
PharyngoCutaneous Fistulae (PCF) represent a significant clinical challenge in otorhinolaryngology practice. The use of biomaterials could improve outcomes or even replace the use of a flap in pharyngolaryngeal surgery.
Methods:
This systematic review included all studies evaluating the application of biomaterials for the prevention of PCF after pharyngeal surgery.
Results:
A total of 19 articles (12 clinical and 7 animal studies) were included. They assessed the use of a biomaterial to cover mucosal sutures (n = 15) or to replace a mucosal defect and guide secondary healing (n = 4). Most studies evaluated commercialized biomaterials (n = 11) rather than experimental devices (n = 5) or platelet-derived autologous medical devices (n = 4).
Conclusion:
There are already strong arguments to support the use of several biomaterials to cover pharyngeal sutures in order to decrease the rate of PCF after TL or TPL. Replacing a pharyngeal mucosal defect by a biomaterial is currently a more elusive goal.
