Pharyngocutaneous fistula following laryngectomy

Sixty-eight cases of stage III and IV laryngeal cancer were analysed to determine the frequency and management of post-operative pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF). The overall incidence in our series is 8.9% (6 cases). In five patients PCF healed spontaneously without any surgical intervention while one patient expired due to concomitant other medical illness. The longest time taken by the fistula to heal by conservative treatment was 7 weeks. Retaining the NG tube for a longer period (14-16 days) and adequate and appropriate antibiotic cover reduces the incidence of fistula formation.