Delayed oral feeding reduces pharyngocutaneous fistula formation after open surgical treatment of primary hypopharyngeal cancer: A case-control study

Abstract

Objectives Pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) formation following open surgical treatment of hypopharyngeal cancer (HPC) is a common and troublesome complication. To date, the postoperative protocol of restarting oral intake is not clear, and vast discrepancies exist in the literature and among institutions. This study aimed to explore the impact of a postoperative protocol of restarting oral intake on PCF formation after open surgical treatment of primary HPC, and its impact on overall survival (OS) and swallowing function based on the functional outcome swallowing scale (FOSS). Materials and Methods This was a prospective observational study of 42 patients who received open surgical treatment for primary HPC at Beijing Friendship Hospital between April 2019 and August 2021. This cohort included two groups: patients who restarted oral intake on the 10th postoperative day (Group 1), and those who started on the 20th (Group 2). The Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact chi-squared test were used for comparing qualitative data among the groups. Results Group 1 (n = 27) and Group 2 (n = 15) were comparable in clinical characteristics. PCF occurred in 7 (25.9%) patients in Group 1, while none occurred in Group 2 ( P = 0.038). The 2-year OS of all 42 patients was 75.6%; 65.8% and 93.3% for Groups 1 and 2, respectively ( P = 0.07). The swallowing function was satisfactory (FOSS Grades 0–III) for 19 (70.4%) patients in Group 1 and 15 (100%) patients in Group 2 ( P = 0.035). Laryngeal preservation was achieved in 25 (59.5%) patients, while decannulation was successful in 22 (88.0%) patients. Conclusions Delayed oral feeding significantly reduces PCF after open surgical treatment of primary HPC, and improves the swallowing function outcome without jeopardizing the OS.