Repair of post-laryngectomy pharyngocutaneous fistulae by muscle flaps

A muscle flap was utilized for repair of pharyngocutaneous fistulae following total laryngectomy after irradiation in ten cases. A sternocleidomastoid flap was used in four cases with a type I fistula. In two of these the investing fascia over the muscle was utilized for supplementing mucosal closure. A pectoralis major muscle flap was utilized in six patients with a type II or III fistula. The fistula healed in all cases. Technical details and one illustrative case are described.