The primary closure of the large fistula occured after total laryngectomy operation with apron flap incision: a case report

Abstract

Pharyngocutaneus fistula can be seen as a complication after total laryngectomy and pharyngolaryngectomy or after the tongue base operations performed through the neck. the fistules may result in tissue loss then potential risk for the life. It is accepted that even small fistula can be easily closed by local treatment but larger ones need further complex operations such as regional flap, gastric pull-up or jejunal flap transposition in which high morbiditiy presents. It is widely accepted that large fistula can not be closed by primarly. We are presenting a case of large fistula as a complication of total laryngectomy operation which closed succesfully with two-step primary closure technique.

Keywords

• pharyngocutaneus fistula
• pharyngolaryngectomy
• two-step primary fistula closure