Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-dsjbd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-28T05:29:22.871Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Stapled closed technique for laryngectomy and pharyngeal repair

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 March 2017

F Ahsan*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Grampian University Hospitals, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Scotland, UK
K W Ah-See
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Grampian University Hospitals, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Scotland, UK
A Hussain
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Grampian University Hospitals, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Scotland, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr F Ahsan, 3 Bervie Drive, Murieston, Livingston EH54 9HA, Scotland, UK. E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Background and aims:

Total laryngectomy is a recognised treatment for advanced laryngeal carcinoma. Traditionally, pharyngeal repair is performed with layered sutures. We describe our experience with a technique of closed pharyngoplasty using a linear stapler device.

Material and methods:

Ten total laryngectomies were performed from July 2002 to July 2004, using an Ethicon TLC 75 linear stapler for pharyngeal closure. Data collected included age, sex, staging, endoscopic assessment, surgical margins and post-operative course (including complications and swallowing).

Results:

Patients comprised eight men and two women. The mean age was 55.4 years. Six patients had stage T4 endolaryngeal carcinoma and four had stage T3. Four patients underwent pre-operative radiotherapy. Clear surgical margins were achieved in all patients. One patient developed a pharyngocutaneous fistula. Patients resumed oral intake at 48 hours, or at 72 hours if they had undergone pre-operative radiotherapy. Patients' mean hospital stay was seven days.

Conclusion:

This stapled closed technique for pharyngoplasty is efficient and eliminates the risk of wound contamination, thus theoretically reducing the risk of tumour seeding. In addition, we were able to commence patients on oral fluids at a mean of 48 hours after surgery. The mean hospital stay was seven days. We recommend this technique as an alternative for repairing the pharynx in patients undergoing total laryngectomy for endolaryngeal carcinoma.

Type
Short Communication
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2008

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

Presented at the International Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Society conference, 25–30 June 2005, Rome, Italy.

References

1 Hoehn, JG, Payne, WS. Resection of pharyngoesophageal diverticulum using stapling device. Mayo Clin Proc 1969;44:738–41Google ScholarPubMed
2 Wolfensberger, M, Simmen, D. Staple closure of the hypopharynx after diverticulectomy and total laryngectomy. Dysphagia 1991;6:26–9CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3 Talmi, YP, Finkelstein, Y, Gal, R, Shvilli, Y, Sadov, R, Zohar, Y. Use of a linear stapler for postlaryngectomy pharyngeal repair: a preliminary report. Laryngoscope 1990;100:552–5CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4 Sessions, RB, Shemen, LJ, Reuter, VE. Staple closure of the gullet after laryngectomy: an experimental study. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1986;95:491–9CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5 Westmore, GA, Knowles, JEA. The use of stapling instrument for post-laryngectomy pharyngeal repair. J Laryngol Otol 1983;97:775–8CrossRefGoogle Scholar
6 Lukyanchenko, AG. Suturing of a laryngeal defect in laryngectomy [in Russian]. Vestn Otorinolaringol 1971;33:2930Google Scholar
7 Simoncelli, C, Altissimi, G. Mechanical sutures of the pharynx during total laryngectomy: proposal of a closed technique [in Italian]. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital 1990;10:465–74Google ScholarPubMed
8 Agrawal, A, Schuller, DE. Closed laryngectomy using the automatic linear stapling device. Laryngoscope 2000;110:1402–5CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9 Montoya, FS, Ruiz De Galarreta, JC, Del Rey, AS, Ibarguen, AM, De Matrana, AZL. Comparative study between the use of manual versus mechanical sutures in the closing of the mucous defect following a total laryngectomy [in Spanish]. Acta Otorrinolaringol Esp 2002;53:343–50Google Scholar
10 Manola, M, D'Angelo, L, Longo, F, De Vivo, S, De Maria, G, Ionna, F. The stapler in total laryngectomy with close technique [in Portugees]. Tumori 2003;89(suppl 4):260–2Google Scholar
11 Dedivitis, RA, Guimaraes, AV. The use of stapler for pharyngeal closure after total laryngectomy. Acta Cirurgia Brasileria 2004;19(1):66–9Google Scholar
12 Bresson, K, Rasmussen, H, Rasmussen, PA. Pharyngocutaneous fistula in totally laryngectomised patients. J Laryngol Otol 1974;88:835–42CrossRefGoogle Scholar
13 Lundgren, J, Olafsson, J. Pharyngocutaneous fistula following total laryngectomy. Clin Otolaryngol 1979;4:1323CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
14 Davis, RK, Vincent, ME, Shapshay, SM, Strong, MS. The anatomy and complications of “T” vs. vertical closure of the hypopharynx after laryngectomy. Laryngoscope 1982;92:1622CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
15 Weingrad, DN, Spiro, RH. Complication after laryngectomy. Am J Surg 1983;146:517–20CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
16 Stell, PM, Cooney, TC. Management of the fistula of the head and neck after radical surgery. J Laryngol Otol 1974;88:819–34CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
17 Dedo, DD, Alonso, WA, Ogura, JH. Incidence, predisposing factors and outcome of pharyngocutaneous fistula complicating head and neck cancer surgery. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1975;84:833–40CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed