Efficacy of the Myofascial Pectoralis Major Flap in the Reduction of Salivary Fistulas After Salvage Total Laryngectomy

Abstract

IntroductionPharyngocutaneous fistula is the most frequent complication after total laryngectomy. Its incidence varies between 9%–25% in post primary total laryngectomy patients, to 14%–57% in salvage laryngectomy post radiotherapy or post chemotherapy+radiotherapy. The pectoralis major myofascial flap (PMMF) is postulated as a useful tool to decrease the incidence of this complication. Materials and methodRetrospective analysis of a group of patients treated by salvage laryngectomy, associated or not with pharyngeal closure reinforcement with PMMF. ResultsTwenty patients were included, 18 males (90%) and 2 females (10%), in 10 of whom the PMMF was used. The average age was 66.65 years. Seventeen (85%) had a laryngeal tumour and 3 (15%) had a hypopharyngeal tumour. Eight (80%) patients in the non-PMMF group had postoperative fistula, whereas only 2 (20%) patients in the PMMF group had a fistula during the postoperative period (P=.005). The mean time for fistula closure was significantly shorter in the cases where PMMF flap was used (16±11 days vs. 76.8±67 days, P=.001), as was hospital stay (19.6±18 days vs. 83.9±77 days, P=.001). ConclusionThe use of PMMF in our series is associated with a lower rate of post salvage laryngectomy fistulas in patients treated primarily by organ preservation protocol for laryngeal/hypopharyngeal cancer. In turn, it promotes local healing by decreasing the mean duration of fistula closure and the mean hospital stay.