Closure of post laryngectomy pharyngocutaneous fistula with sternocleidomastoid muscle flap.

A pharyngocutaneous fistula is an irritating and intractable complication following laryngectomy. These fistulae not only prolong the hospital stay of the patient but pose a potential danger of saliva eroding the carotid vessels. The sternocleidomastoid muscle has a number of uses in reconstructive surgery of the head and neck region and most small or medium sized defects can be closed by use of this muscle flap.