Fistulae following laryngectomy in patients treated with irradiation

The development of fistulae following 197 consecutive laryngectomies performed from 1980 to 1987 have been examined. Fistulae were present in 28 patients (14 per cent). Age, T-classification, daily level of radiation dose and the time lapse between diagnosis and operation did not seem to influence the rate of fistula development. The study indicates that there is a two to three per cent risk of fistula development when a primary laryngectomy is performed. Fistula formation increased to about 10 to 12 per cent following radiotherapy, with an additional increase whenever previous operations on the neck had been done and/or if the disease demanded more extensive surgery. The study also indicates that the risk for fistula development is less when an experienced surgeon performs the operation.