Octreotide VS Placebo in Prevention of Salivary Fistulae After Post Radiation Salvage Surgery

Salivary fistulae have been the bane of surgical salvage in the era of primary chemoradiation for head and neck (H\&N) cancers. The "blame"of prior chemoradiation tissue damage encouraged compensatory surgical techniques that focused on the insertion of non-irradiated tissue into the field. This study emphasizes a paradigm shift in the understanding and treatment of pharyngocutaneous fistulae. The detrimental effects of salivary enzymes on tissue healing and surgical anastomoses are addressed and novel treatment strategy is outlined.