Background Pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) following laryngectomy is a serious complication, and its incidence varies from 7.6% to 50%. Despite the relative frequency of this complication, there is still uncertainty about the predisposing factors. Methods A retrospective study was performed in 295 patients who underwent total laryngectomy. Results Of the 295 patients, 37 (12.5%) developed PCF. The contributing factors,—such as early oral feeding postoperatively, prior radiotherapy or tracheostomy, accompanying neck dissection,—and the surgical technique failed to show a statistically significant effect. There was statistically significant association between tumor size and PCF formation. Also, when the suture materials used for the closure of the pharynx were compared, catgut showed a higher rate of PCF formation than vicryl (p < .05). Conclusions The vicryl, when used as a suture material for the closure of the pharynx, seemed to decrease the fistula rate significantly, compared with catgut. Also, tumor stage was found to have a significant role in PCF formation, but no statistical significant difference could be demonstrated for other investigated parameters. We believe that after total laryngectomy, oral feeding can be started at the third postoperative day without increasing morbidity, which makes the patients feel more comfortable and confident without nasogastric tube. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 20: 22–25, 1998.

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In order to determine the characteristics and incidence of hearing loss in Behçet's disease, 72 consecutive cases and 72 sex- and age-matched normal subjects were submitted to this study. Detailed audiologic tests were performed in all cases. Twenty patients (27%) showed some degree of hearing loss; but in only 7 patients (9%) was the average of the frequencies between 500 to 4,000 Hz more than 25 dB hearing level, and the cochlear function of 43 patients (59%) was within the 25-dB range in all frequencies. The averaged pure tone audiograms of the two groups showed a statistically significant hearing loss in the Behçet's group. No relationship could be found between hearing loss and other system involvements. There was no correlation between hearing loss and duration of the disease, but the mean age of the Behçet's patients with hearing loss was found to be significantly higher than the mean age of the patients without hearing loss.

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The aim of the study was to determine the mycobacterial species causing cervical lymphadenitis at Cukurova University Hospital, Adana, Turkey. To this end, culture and differential tests were performed on excisional or incisional biopsy specimens from patients with mycobacterial cervical disease (MCD). The diagnosis was confirmed by skin tests, histopathological examination and positive cultures. In 15 of 40 cases diagnosed as MCD, mycobacteria were isolated in Lowenstein-Jensen medium. The etiological agents were tuberculous mycobacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 9 cases and M. bovis in 3 cases). Of the 3 non-tuberculous cases, 2 were due to M. kansasii and the other to M. fortuitum. Antituberculous chemotherapy was given in all cases over an average period of 18 months. A combination of three of four drugs was used including isoniazid, ethambutol, rifampin and/or streptomycin. At the end a follow-up period of at least 3 years, there were no recurrences or persistences of infection and no surgical treatment was necessary to remove residual lymph nodes.