TABLE II.
Relationship Between Clinical Variables and Fistula Occurrence.
| Variable | Incidence of Fistula, No. (%) | P Value |
|---|---|---|
| Age >60 years | 28/135 (21) | .88 |
| Primary | 10/59 (17) | .44 |
| Salvage | 17/76 (22) | .57 |
| Male | 44/200 (22) | .85 |
| Primary | 11/85 (13) | .19 |
| Salvage | 33/115 (29) | .62 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 5/27 (19) | .81 |
| Primary | 2/10 (20) | .65 |
| Salvage | 3/17 (18) | .76 |
| Hypothyroidism | 21/46 (46) | <.0001 |
| Primary | 4/14 (29) | .22 |
| Salvage | 17/32 (53) | .0002 |
| Neck dissection | 34/188 (18) | .06 |
| Primary | 14/105 (13) | .09 |
| Salvage | 20/83 (24) | .57 |
| Free-flap closure | 38/163 (23) | .35 |
| Primary | 5/51 (10) | .12 |
| Salvage | 33/112 (29) | .18 |
| Preoperative tracheostomy | 22/82 (27) | .14 |
| Primary | 5/34 (15) | 1.0 |
| Salvage | 17/48 (35) | .06 |
| Previous partial laryngectomy | 3/29 (10) | .15 |
| Primary | 1/5 (20) | .56 |
| Salvage | 2/24 (8) | .07 |
| Previous radiation | 38/146 (26) | .03 |
| Positive margins | 11/43 (26) | .42 |
| Primary | 2/19 (10) | .73 |
| Salvage | 9/24 (37) | .20 |
| Pharyngeal mucosa involvement | 19/89 (21) | 1.0 |
| Primary | 4/38 (10) | .57 |
| Salvage | 15/51 (29) | .43 |