Hypopharynx ICG to Reduce the Fistula Rate in Patients Undergoing Salvage Laryngectomy

Salvage laryngectomy is associated with the highest morbidity and mortality in head and neck cancer patients. Pharyngocutaneous fistula is one of the most common surgical complication in the patient population and affects up to a third of patients undergoing total laryngectomy (TL) and pharyngolaryngectomy (PL). PCF is associated to increased rates of wound infections, prolonged hospitalization and vascular embarrassment (rupture and hemorrhage from major vessels). The use of vascularized flaps to assist in the reconstruction of the pharynx after laryngectomy have reduced the severity of complications patients experience after salvage laryngectomy. There is now interest in the quality of the vascular supply of the recipient pharyngeal tissue (pharyngeal mucosa). It is possible that vascular imaging of the recipient pharyngeal mucosa would provide the surgeon with intraoperative information that could guide pharyngeal mucosal debridement to remove any remaining pharyngeal tissue that has marginal vascularity (viability).

Initially developed in the 1950's, ICG imaging was used to assess retinal perfusion. Imaging acquisition with ICG uses a near-infrared wavelength (835nm) laser detection system. ICG imaging can also be used to direct debridement of marginally viable tissue. This approach has significantly reduced wound complications in patients undergoing breast reconstruction and colorectal surgery. ICG imaging has thus been found to be a reliable predictor of mucosal viability. Perfusion imaging studies in colorectal surgery, using laser fluorescence angiography, have shown a notable reduction in surgical revisions associated to anastomotic leaks, and a reduced hospitalization time. Preliminary reports in head and neck reconstructive surgery have shown an association between poor mucosal vascularity and higher fistula rate. In addition, ICG imaging and guided mucosal debridement suggest lower fistula rates.

We will be conducting a Phase II randomized trial study to assess the utility of ICG imaging for tissue perfusion, in order to reduce pharyngocutaneous fistula rate among patients undergoing salvage laryngectomy and vascularized tissue (flap) closure

Inclusion criteria

• Signed written and voluntary informed consent.
• Patient must be willing and able to comply with scheduled visits, treatment plan, laboratory tests and other study procedures.
• Age > 18 years, male or female.
• Patient must be undergoing salvage laryngectomy after radiation or chemoradiation. By definition, the patients are considered resectable by the treating head and neck surgeon.
• The expected pharyngeal defect must be conducive to imaging with the ICG.
• Vascularized tissue augmentation (flap) is part of the operative plan (supra- or infraclavicular flap excludes the patient).
• ECOG performance status 0-2.

Exclusion criteria

• Total Laryngopharyngectomy
• On immune suppression medications
• Current hematologic malignancy
• Pregnancy
• Allergy to Iodine
• TSH greater than 8
• BMI less than 18
• Vascularized augmentation is a supra or infraclavicular rotational flap