[Long term outcome of phonatory fistulae]

Since January 1983 to January 1990 we have operated 84 Phonatory fistuloplasties (P.F.). The aim of this paper is an intend to know the long term results, farther than 3 years follow-up. We have practiced 70 primary P.F. and 14 secondary. The technique used have been plain puncture and Algaba's procedure. Myotomy of the cricopharyngeus muscle and Herrmann' flap (skin-platysma-fascia) was sometimes associated. The early success of the primary P.F. has been 95 percent and the late one 48 percent. In the secondary P.F. 54 percent and 29 percent, respectively. The most frequent causes of failure have been: enlargement, accidental loss of the prothesis and spontaneous closure and unhappy patient and fibrosis periprosthesis as well. Two factors have to be taken into account in late failures; the immediate postoperative positive psychological feeling and the fact that every patient uses the esophageal voice satisfactorily.