Comparison of Outcomes for Staple and Conventional Closure of the Pharynx Following Total Laryngectomy
Phakdee Sannikorn MD*, Natita Pornniwes MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, Rajavithi Hospital, College of Medicine, Rangsit University, Bangkok, Thailand
Background : Closure of the wall of the pharynx is an important step in the total laryngectomy operation. An inadequate
closure results in tissue contamination, wound infection, and the development of pharyngo-cutaneous fistula.
Objective : To study the outcomes of neo-pharyngeal closure after total laryngectomy by stapler compared with conventional
techniques.
Material and Method: A retrospective descriptive study of patients undergoing total laryngectomy with either pharyngeal
stapling or suturing between January 2007 and December 2011.
Results : Twenty-six patients had pharyngeal stapling, while another twenty-six had a conventional pharyngeal closure. The
operative time was significantly less in the stapler group (p < 0.001).
Conclusion : Pharyngeal stapling might be an alternative technique for total laryngectomy.
Keywords : Stapler, Total laryngectomy, Conventional, Comparison
