Pharyngocutaneous fistula: the incidence and the risk factors

A pharyngocutaneous fistula is the most common complication following laryngectomy. A wide range of potential risk factors has been suggested. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and risk factors for the fistula at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery in Ljubljana, Slovenia between 2007 and 2012. Charts from patients treated for head and neck cancer by laryngectomy were retrospectively reviewed. Comprehensive clinicopathologic data were collected including potential risk factors related to the patient, disease, surgery and postoperative period. The patients were categorised into the group with the fistula (a study group) and without it (a control group). The incidence of the fistula was calculated and the groups were statistically compared according to potential risk factors using the Chi square test, Fisher exact test, T test, Mann–Whitney U test and binary logistic regression analysis. Hundred fifty-eight patients were included. The incidence of the fistula was 30.4 %. In the primary laryngectomy group the incidence was 22.6 %, whereas in the salvage laryngectomy group 44.6 % (p = 0.006). The independent predictors for the fistula were history of head and neck cancer (p = 0.001), invasion of piriform sinus (p = 0.020) and surgical wound infection (p < 0.001). The timing of surgical wound infection could be of some importance. In the PCF group, it started on the 5th postoperative day, whereas in the control group on the 7th postoperative day (p = 0.063). Decreasing the rate of surgical wound infection could diminish the fistula rate.