Leakage around voice prosthesis in laryngectomees: Treatment with local GM-CSF

Objectives. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of tre ating leakage around voice prosthesis by local injection of granulocyte-mac rophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Study Design. Three patients with nonhealing leaking tracheoesophageal (TE) fistula, resistant to common treatment, were treated with local GM-CSF. Material and Methods. Fistula size was measured and photo documented before and after treatment. Result. In all three patients, the fistula shrank, and the leakage ceased. No side effects were observed. Conclusion. Local injection with GM-CSF seems to be a simple and effective way of decreasing a leaking TE-fistula in laryngectomized patients. A great advantage was that the procedure could be done with the voice prosthesis i n place. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.