چكيده لاتين :
Pharyngocutaneous fistula is a serious complication after total laryngectomy. The reported incidence varies
from 1% to 50%. There is still no agreement regarding when to begin oral feeding after total laryngectomy. The aim of this
study was to demonstrate the safety of early oral feeding after total laryngectomy.
Materials and Methods: In a prospective study. patients who underwent total laryngectomy were randomly divided into
either the oral feeding or the nasogastric tube (NGT) groups. For patients in the oral feeding group, feeding was initiated
orally with a clear liquid diet on the third postoperative day, whereas patients in the nasogastric tube group were fed through
NGTand received nothing orally until the seventh postoperative day.
Results: Between September 2002 and October 2006, 25 patients were studied in this trial. There were 13 patients (52%) in
the oral feeding group and 12 patients (48%) in the NGT group. Their ages ranged from 49 to 77 years (mean 66.07 ±7.22
and 63.83 ± 7.58 years in oral feeding and NGT groups, respectively). Mann-Whitney U and Chi-square tests showed that
differences between the two groups were not statistically significant with regard to age, tumor location and tumor stage. One
case of fistula occurred in each group.
Conclusion: Our results indicate that in a selected group of patients, it is possible to initiate oral feeding much earlier in the
postoperative period than what was formerly thought. (Tanaffos 2008; 7(2): 64-70)
