The hospital records of patients undergoing major surgery for cancer of the larynx and hypopharynx at the Tata Memorial Hospital, Bombay, from 1981 to 1985 were reviewed. Different variables were correlated with the incidence of major complications and were analysed to find out significant factors contributing to increased complication rates. Complications included wound infection, pharyngocutaneous fistulae, flap necrosis, carotid blowout, and neo-esophageal stenosis. Postoperative deaths and delayed fatalities were also recorded. The overall fistulae rate was 34.7%, and wound infection occurred in 28% of patients. Prior radiotherapy and the need for pharyngeal reconstruction were found to be significant in determining postsurgical complications. Age, sex, site, stage, cartilage and soft tissue infiltration, preoperative tracheostomy, involvement of resection margins by tumor, and the dose of radiotherapy were not found to influence the complication rates.

Seventy-five patients underwent gastric transposition for replacement of the pharyngoesophagus. These patients had primary or recurrent malignant tumors of the hypopharynx, postcricoid region, and cervical esophagus. The operative procedure consisted of a transhiatal esophagectomy and gastric pull-up to establish gastrointestinal continuity, with a unilateral or bilateral neck dissection where indicated. Seven patients died, a mortality rate of 9.33%. The average hospital stay of uncomplicated cases was 18 days and for complicated cases was 40 days. Immediate restoration of oral intake was achieved in 70.6% of patients. We conclude that gastric transposition after circumferential laryngopharyngeal excision is a procedure with low mortality and acceptable morbidity leading to early relief of dysphagia.

A case of fungal infection of the paranasal sinuses simulating a neoplasm is reported. Fonsecaea pedrosoi, a dematiacious fungus, which has not been previously reported, was responsible for this unusual infection. Fungal infection may mimic malignant lesions of the paranasal sinuses; however, coexisting malignancy must be ruled out.