Y Kamhieh1, H Fox2, E Hallett3, S Berry4. 1. ENT Department,Morriston Hospital,Swansea, Wales,UK. 2. ENT Department,Freeman Hospital,Newcastle upon Tyne,UK. 3. ENT Department,University Hospital of Wales,Cardiff, Wales,UK. 4. ENT Department,Royal Glamorgan Hospital,Llantrisant,Wales,UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pharyngocutaneous fistula is a cause of significant morbidity following laryngectomy. Routine use of salivary bypass tubes during laryngectomy has been proposed to reduce the incidence of fistulae and neopharyngeal strictures. METHOD: Following a systematic search of Embase, Medline and Cochrane databases (1946 - current), included articles were assessed for bias according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. RESULTS: Three case-control trials showed reduced pharyngocutaneous fistula rates with the use of salivary bypass tubes; six case series reported widely varied fistula rates. With regards to stricture rates, the largest case-control trial found no improvement with salivary bypass tube use. No fatal adverse events were observed among the 204 patients who received a salivary bypass tube. CONCLUSION: Low-level evidence suggests salivary bypass tubes may reduce the incidence of fistula in high-risk patient groups. A robust randomised controlled trial, or large, multicentre cohort studies, are needed to further examine this intervention.
BACKGROUND: Pharyngocutaneous fistula is a cause of significant morbidity following laryngectomy. Routine use of salivary bypass tubes during laryngectomy has been proposed to reduce the incidence of fistulae and neopharyngeal strictures. METHOD: Following a systematic search of Embase, Medline and Cochrane databases (1946 - current), included articles were assessed for bias according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. RESULTS: Three case-control trials showed reduced pharyngocutaneous fistula rates with the use of salivary bypass tubes; six case series reported widely varied fistula rates. With regards to stricture rates, the largest case-control trial found no improvement with salivary bypass tube use. No fatal adverse events were observed among the 204 patients who received a salivary bypass tube. CONCLUSION: Low-level evidence suggests salivary bypass tubes may reduce the incidence of fistula in high-risk patient groups. A robust randomised controlled trial, or large, multicentre cohort studies, are needed to further examine this intervention.
Authors: Teresa Bernadette Steinbichler; Dolores Wolfram; Annette Runge; Roland Hartl; Daniel Dejaco; Tina Rauchenwald; Claus Pototschnig; Herbert Riechelmann; Volker Hans Schartinger Journal: Head Neck Date: 2021-04-08 Impact factor: 3.821