Early detection of pharyngocutaneous fistulae after total laryngectomy by cytokine in drainage: A pilot study (DEFILAC)

Head Neck. 2023 Dec;45(12):3067-3074. doi: 10.1002/hed.27535. Epub 2023 Oct 10.

Abstract

Background: The determination of cytokines in the postoperative drainage (POD) fluid could be a method for early detection of the development of a pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF).

Materials and methods: We conducted a prospective two-center study involving 28 patients. PODs were collected on Day 1 (D1) and Day 2 (D2) postoperatively for determination of a cytokine panel and cytobacteriological examination.

Results: Eleven (39%) patients presented with PCF on average 13 ± 5.5 days after surgery. Patients with PCF had higher IL-10 (121 vs. 40.3, p = 0.04, effect size (ES) = 0.98 [0.16, 1.79]) and TNFα level (21.2 vs. 2.2, p = 0.02, ES = 0.83 [0.03, 1.63]) on D2. An IL-10 threshold of 72 pg/mL on D2 was diagnostic of the occurrence of PCF with a sensibility of 70%, specificity of 88%.

Conclusion: The determination of cytokines in POD fluid on D2 is a reliable tool for predicting the development of a PCF after total laryngectomy.

Keywords: cytokine; head and neck cancer; laryngectomy; pharyngocutaneous fistula; postoperative drainage.

MeSH terms

  • Cutaneous Fistula* / diagnosis
  • Cutaneous Fistula* / epidemiology
  • Cutaneous Fistula* / etiology
  • Cytokines
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-10
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Laryngectomy / adverse effects
  • Pharyngeal Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Pharyngeal Diseases* / epidemiology
  • Pharyngeal Diseases* / etiology
  • Pilot Projects
  • Postoperative Complications / epidemiology
  • Prospective Studies
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Interleukin-10
  • Cytokines