Application of Biomaterials for the Prevention of Pharyngeal Fistulae: A Systematic Review.

Chabrillac, Emilien; Tourrette, Audrey; Habib, Michel; Blanchy, Marilys; Des Courtils, Céline; D'Andréa, Grégoire; Lavalle, Philippe; Dupret-Bories, Agnès · Head Neck · 2025

systematic_review · Level I

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Abstract

PharyngoCutaneous Fistulae (PCF) represent a significant clinical challenge in otorhinolaryngology practice. The use of biomaterials could improve outcomes or even replace the use of a flap in pharyngolaryngeal surgery. This systematic review included all studies evaluating the application of biomaterials for the prevention of PCF after pharyngeal surgery. A total of 19 articles (12 clinical and 7 animal studies) were included. They assessed the use of a biomaterial to cover mucosal sutures (n = 15) or to replace a mucosal defect and guide secondary healing (n = 4). Most studies evaluated commercialized biomaterials (n = 11) rather than experimental devices (n = 5) or platelet-derived autologous medical devices (n = 4). There are already strong arguments to support the use of several biomaterials to cover pharyngeal sutures in order to decrease the rate of PCF after TL or TPL. Replacing a pharyngeal mucosal defect by a biomaterial is currently a more elusive goal.

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