What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a retrospective study between 2012 and 2014 to evaluate hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) as an alternative to surgery for non-healing postoperative pharyngocutaneous fistula (POPCF) in patients who had failed prior conservative management.
What They Found
Eight male patients with a mean age of 62.3 years, who had failed conservative treatment for an average of one month, were included. All patients received hyperbaric oxygen therapy and local debridement, resulting in successful closure of the pharyngocutaneous fistula in seven patients (87.5%).
What This Means for Canadian Patients
For Canadian patients experiencing non-healing pharyngocutaneous fistula after laryngectomy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy could offer a non-surgical alternative if conservative treatments have failed. This approach may provide a high success rate for fistula closure, potentially reducing the need for further invasive procedures.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection as it was conducted in another medical center outside of Canada.
Study Limitations
The study's retrospective design and very small sample size of eight patients limit the generalizability and strength of its conclusions.