Author(s)

Andjock Nkouo Yves Christian^1,2*, Bola Siafa Antoine^1,3, Meva’a Biouele Roger Christian^1,4, Kambou Fohom Armelle¹, Ngono Ateba Gladys⁵, Mindja Eko David^1,4, Njock Richard^1,6, Djomou Francois^1,3

¹Ophthalmology-Ear-Nose-Throat (ENT)-Stomatology Department, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon.
²ENT-Cervico-Facial-Surgery (CFS) Service, Yaounde General Hospital, Yaounde, Cameroon.
³ENT-CFS Service, Yaounde Teaching Hospital, Yaounde, Cameroon.
⁴ENT-CFS Service, Yaounde Central Hospital, Yaounde, Cameroon.
⁵Anesthesiology and Reanimation Service, Douala General Hospital, Douala, Cameroon.
⁶ENT-CFS Service, Douala General Hospital, Douala, Cameroon.

Introduction and Aims: Pharyngostoma or pharyngo-cutaneous fistula is a frequent complication of totals laryngectomies and pharyngo-laryngectomies. Its incidence varies from one series to another from 13% to 58%. Multiple risk factors are known. The data from our environment concerning this condition are few. Thus, in order to contribute to the study of this complication in our environment, we proposed to carry out this study, whose objective was to determine the predictive factors for the occurrence of pharyngo-cutaneous fistula or pharyngostoma after total laryngectomy and total pharyngo-laryngectomy in Yaounde and Douala. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study conducted in the 5 Ear-Nose-Throat (ENT) department of hospital in the city of Yaounde and Douala. The study took place between January 2009 and December 2020. All patients who underwent total laryngectomy or total pharyngo-laryngectomy with a follow-up of at least one month were included in the study. Incomplete records were excluded, as well as those of patients who died before one month of postoperative follow-up. Results: We selected 48 cases of total laryngectomies (TL) and total pharyngo-laryngectomies (TPL), and identified 37 cases of pharyngostoma. 45 men (93.8%) and 3 women (6.3%). The mean age was 56.4 years with extremes ranging from 37 to 86 years. Smoking and alcoholism were noted in 75% and 79.2% of our patients respectively. A tracheotomy before TL and TPL was found in 41.7%. 100% of the tumours found were T3 or T4. The surgery was in 34 cases (70.8%) TL and in 14 cases (29.2%) TPL. Pharyngostomas were observed in 37 cases among 48 patients operated on, i.e. a frequency of 77.1%. The average delay of appearance was 7 to 14 days. We had spontaneous healing with pressure dressing and nasogastric tube feeding in 35 patients (77.8%) and two patients benefited from pectoralis major flap treatment; the healing time was 21 to 30 days. We did not find any correlation between gender, age, tumour site of origin and locoregional extension and the occurrence of pharyngostoma. Preoperative tracheotomy and radiotherapy were not significant risk factors for the occurrence of pharyngostoma. However, preoperative anaemia (p = 0.02), LTP (p = 0.02), early complications (p < 0.001) and lack of continuous saliva aspiration postoperatively (p = 0.03) were statistically significant predictors of pharyngostoma in univariate analysis. Conclusion: Pharyngostoma is the most common postoperative complication after TL and TPL. In our setting, the main associated risk factors identified were: preoperative anaemia, LTP, early complications and failure to continuously aspirate saliva postoperatively.

Pharyngostoma, Predictive Factors, Yaounde and Douala

Nkouo Yves Christian, A. , Siafa Antoine, B. , Biouele Roger Christian, M. , Fohom Armelle, K. , Ateba Gladys, N. , Eko David, M. , Richard, N. and Francois, D. (2023) Predictive Factors for the Occurrence of Pharyngostoma after Laryngectomy and Total Pharyngo-Laryngectomy in Yaounde and Douala. International Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, 12, 44-54. doi: 10.4236/ijohns.2023.121005.