Post-operative complications due to salvage total laryngectomy for recurrent laryngeal cancer after radiotherapy - a multicentre retrospective study

Vascularized Tissue to Reduce Fistula After Salvage Total Laryngectomy: A Network Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Salvage laryngectomy is more predisposed to complications than primary operations, with pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) being among the most challenging to manage. Vascularized flaps are increasingly employed during salvage laryngectomy, with a previous review finding a PCF incidence of 31.2% and 22.2% after primary and flap-assisted closure respectively. We aim to better define the role of vascularized flaps after salvage laryngectomy by performing an updated review comparing the rate of PCF in those undergoing primary or vascularized flap-assisted closure.

DATA SOURCES

Pubmed/Medline, CINAHL, and CENTRAL.

REVIEW METHODS

An updated literature review was conducted of English language literature from 2003 to 2023. A random effects and network meta-analysis of odds ratios (OR) and pooled proportions were conducted.

RESULTS

Literature search found 31 studies, including seven from the previous review. Overall random effects pooled PCF rate was 25% (95% CI 0.21; 0.30, I2 = 72%, p = <0.01), whereas incidence in primary closure was 37% (95% CI 0.32; 0.43, I2 = 60%, p = <0.01) and 19% (95% CI 0.12; 0.20, I2 = 47%, p = <0.01) after flap closure. Pooled OR was 0.39 (95% CI 0.28; 0.55, I2 = 36%, p = 0.04) in favor of vascularized tissues. The number needed to treat was 6.5. The rate of PCF was lower after free and pedicled flaps, and on-lay and patch closure compared to primary closure techniques. Network meta-analysis found all combinations of closure techniques and vascularized tissue were superior to primary closure.

CONCLUSION

The updated analysis has demonstrated a widening in the rates of PCF between primary and vascularized flap-assisted closure. Surgeons should strongly consider the use of free or pedicled flaps in any salvage laryngectomy procedure. Laryngoscope, 134:2991-3002, 2024.

Comparison of Patients With Total and Salvage Laryngectomy

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Total laryngectomy (TL) is one of the treatments available in locally advanced laryngeal carcinomas or as a salvage therapy when organ preservation fails, achieving high survival rates and few complications. The aim of this study was to analyse the oncological outcomes, comparing the data obtained with the current literature and analysing complications and survival.

METHODS

The study included 62 patients with primary carcinoma of the larynx treated by primary or salvage TL between 2003 and 2019. We analysed the demographic, clinical and pathological characteristics, tumour stage, complementary treatments, postoperative complications, locoregional recurrences, metastases, and causes of death.

RESULTS

The mean age was 64 years, 90.3% were men, 96.8% were smokers, 43.5% had multiple pathologies and 82.3% had a locally advanced stage. Of all TL 71% were primary and 29% salvage. Neck dissection was performed in 59.6%. Lymphovascular invasion was present in 30.6%, perineural invasion in 30.6% and margin involvement in 14.5%. During the follow-up, 17.7% presented locoregional recurrence and 11.3% distant metastases. Regarding complementary treatments, 56.4% of the patients received adjuvant therapy. The incidence of haemorrhage was 11.3%, infection 14.5%, and pharyngocutaneous fistula 21%. There was a statistically significant correlation between fistula and haemorrhage (P = .000) and between fistula and infection (P = .000). No statistically significant differences were found between the studied factors of primary and salvage TL. The 3-year overall survival was 92% and 5-year overall survival was 88%, finding statistical significance with the locally advanced stage (P = .038), T4 (P = .026), lymphovascular invasion (P = .019) and the involvement of more than 3 lymph nodes in the pathological anatomy (P = .005). On the multivariate analysis, the only variable that showed a significant relationship with survival was lymphovascular invasion (P = .026).

CONCLUSIONS

Although organ preservation is a primary objective, TL remains a leading treatment in locally advanced carcinomas and as salvage in case of failure of medical therapy or partial surgery.

Comparison of patients with total and salvage laryngectomy

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Total laryngectomy (TL) is one of the treatments available in locally advanced laryngeal carcinomas or as a salvage therapy when organ preservation fails, achieving high survival rates and few complications. The aim of this study was to analyse the oncological outcomes, comparing the data obtained with the current literature and analysing complications and survival.

METHODS

The study included 62 patients with primary carcinoma of the larynx treated by primary or salvage TL between 2003 and 2019. We analysed the demographic, clinical and pathological characteristics, tumour stage, complementary treatments, postoperative complications, locoregional recurrences, metastases, and causes of death.

RESULTS

The mean age was 64 years, 90.3% were men, 96.8% were smokers, 43.5% had multiple pathologies and 82.3% had a locally advanced stage. Of all TL 71% were primary and 29% salvage. Neck dissection was performed in 59.6%. Lymphovascular invasion was present in 30.6%, perineural invasion in 30.6% and margin involvement in 14.5%. During the follow-up, 17.7% presented locoregional recurrence and 11.3% distant metastases. Regarding complementary treatments, 56.4% of the patients received adjuvant therapy. The incidence of haemorrhage was 11.3%, infection 14.5%, and pharyngocutaneous fistula 21%. There was a statistically significant correlation between fistula and haemorrhage (P=.000) and between fistula and infection (P=.000). No statistically significant differences were found between the studied factors of primary and salvage TL. The 3-year overall survival was 92% and 5-year overall survival was 88%, finding statistical significance with the locally advanced stage (P=.038), T4 (P=.026), lymphovascular invasion (P=.019) and the involvement of more than 3 lymph nodes in the pathological anatomy (P=.005). On the multivariate analysis, the only variable that showed a significant relationship with survival was lymphovascular invasion (P=.026).

CONCLUSIONS

Although organ preservation is a primary objective, TL remains a leading treatment in locally advanced carcinomas and as salvage in case of failure of medical therapy or partial surgery.

Pectoralis Major Onlay vs Interpositional Reconstruction Fistulation After Salvage Total Laryngectomy: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the difference in pharygocutaneous fistula (PCF) development between pectoralis major flap onlay and interpositional reconstructions after salvage total laryngectomy (STL).

DATA SOURCES

Medline, Cochrane, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, and ClinicalTrials.gov.

REVIEW METHODS

A systematic review was performed during January 2020. English articles were included that described minor and major PCF rates after STL reconstructed with pectoralis major onlay or interposition. PCFs were classified as major when conservative therapy was unsuccessful and/or revision surgery was needed. Articles describing total laryngopharyngectomies were excluded. Meta-analyses of the resulting data were performed.

RESULTS

Twenty-four articles met final criteria amassing 1304 patients. Three articles compared onlay with interposition, and 18 compared onlay with primary closure. Pectoralis interposition demonstrated elevated odds ratio (OR) of PCF formation as compared with onlay (OR, 2.34; P < .001). Onlay reconstruction reduced overall (OR, 0.32; P < .001) and major (OR, 0.21; P < .001) PCF development as compared with primary pharyngeal closure alone. Data were insufficient to compare interposition against primary closure.

CONCLUSIONS

This research shows evidence that pectoralis onlay after STL diminishes the odds of total and major PCF development. Pectoralis interposition reconstruction showed elevated odds of PCF formation as compared with pectoralis onlay.