ISSN: 2161-119X

Otolaryngology: Open Access
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  • Research Article   
  • Otolaryngol 2011, Vol 1(2): 105
  • DOI: 10.4172/2161-119X.1000105

Effect of Perioperative Hypothyroidism on Pharyngocutaneous Fistula Formation Following Total Laryngectomy

Baran D Sumer1, Deborah Larrison1, Brett A Miles2, John M Truelson1, Chul Ahn3 and Larry L Myers1*
1Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, , Dallas, TX, USA
2Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, , New York, NY, USA
3Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, , Dallas, TX, USA
*Corresponding Author : Larry L Myers, Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9035, USA, Tel: 214 648-5643, Fax: 214 648-9122, Email: larry.myers@utsouthwestern.edu

Received Date: Jul 07, 2011 / Accepted Date: Nov 03, 2011 / Published Date: Nov 07, 2011

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effects of perioperative hypothyroidism on postoperative pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) formation in patients undergoing total laryngectomy. Study Design: Case series with chart review. Setting: University-based, tertiary care hospitals. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 49 consecutive patients undergoing total laryngectomy between January 2003 and December 2007 having perioperative thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. We defined hypothyroidism according to American College of Clinical Endocrinology guidelines as serum TSH level above 4.5 mIU/mL. Patients were divided into 2 groups: Group I, comprised of hypothyroid patients and Group II, comprised of euthyroid patients. We collected demographic, clinical, laboratory and perioperative data for analysis. Results: Group I had 10 patients (20%). Group II was matched in nearly all clinical and perioperative variables. Overall, 18 patients (37%) had postoperative PCF. Only 4 of these patients (40%) were from Group I compared to 14 patients (36%) from Group II (p=1.000). Thirteen patients (27%) underwent a concurrent thyroidectomy; 2 from Group I and 11 from Group II. PCF formation was not related to concurrent thyroidectomy (p=0.508). None of the other clinical variables studied (TNM stage, alcohol and tobacco use, preoperative albumin and hemoglobin level, prior radiotherapy, diabetes, neogullet closure type) were associated with PCF formation. Conclusions: PCF formation is multifactorial and our data suggest that PCF is not singularly associated with perioperative hypothyroidism as defined by current standards. A greater degree of hypothyroidism may be required to affect PCF formation. Total laryngectomy should not be delayed secondary to moderately elevated pre-operative TSH values.

Keywords: Surgical complications, Pharyngocutaneous fistula, Laryngectomy, Wound infection, Head and neck cancer, Hypothyroidism.

Citation: Sumer BD, Larrison D, Miles BA, Truelson JM, Ahn C, et al. (2011) Effect of Perioperative Hypothyroidism on Pharyngocutaneous Fistula Formation Following Total Laryngectomy. Otolaryngol 1:105. Doi: 10.4172/2161-119X.1000105

Copyright: © 2011 Sumer BD, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

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