Prevention of wound complications in salvage pharyngolaryngectomy by the use of well-vascularized flaps.

Conclusions: We successfully reduced the incidence of pharyngocutaneous fistulas (PCFs) in high-risk patients undergoing surgery by using pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps (PMMCFs) and deltopectoral flaps (DPFs) to cover suture lines.

Objectives: We used coverage of suture lines with PMMCFs and DPFs in patients with high risk of PCFs undergoing total laryngectomy (TL) or total pharyngolaryngectomy (TPL) to determine whether coverage of suture lines during salvage surgery can reduce the incidence of PCFs.

Methods: This retrospective study was based on a review of 52 patients who underwent salvage TL or TPL between 2001 and 2011; we have been using PMMCFs or DPFs during salvage surgery since 2008. Details of postoperative complications including PCFs were analyzed.

Results: The incidence rate of PCF was lower in the flap group (7.7%) than that in the non-flap group (30.1%). No carotid ruptures were observed in the flap group (0%) as contrasted with patients in the non-flap group (7.7%).