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Fresh Fistula

Question: A 76 year old male undergoes total laryngectomy and pectoralis major myocutaneous flap reconstruction for an advanced laryngeal cancer. Postoperatively he develops a salivary fistula. Multiple attempts at packing the wound are unsuccessful. Which of the following is the least likely to contribute to poor wound healing?

a) Untreated hypothyroidism

b) Type 2 diabetes with Hb A1c of 6.9%

c) Hypoalbuminemia

d) Smoking

[Answer will be posted with next week's new question]

Answer to last week's question, “Puffy Feeling” (Aug 1, 2022)

B - Reconstruct the labyrinthotomy