Investigating the effects of vitamin C administration on the incidence of pharyngocutaneous fistulas after total laryngectomy: a randomized controlled trial

Background: Pharyngocutaneous fistula represents a significant complication following total laryngectomy. This study aims to explore the relationship between vitamin C administration and the formation of pharyngocutaneous fistulas. Materials and methods: This open-label randomized controlled trial involved 47 patients diagnosed with laryngeal cancer. Participants were randomly allocated to either an intervention group or a placebo group. Those in the intervention group received 1 gram of vitamin C via injection twice daily ( n = 23), while the placebo group received an equivalent volume of distilled water ( n = 24) during their postoperative recovery. The occurrence of pharyngocutaneous fistula was monitored in both groups after 1 month. Results: A total of 27.66% (13 patients) developed pharyngocutaneous fistulas. The incidence in the vitamin C group was lower at 21.74%, compared to 33.33% in the control group; however, this difference did not reach statistical significance ( P = 0.374). Conclusion: Although this study offers important insights into the potential impact of vitamin C on the postoperative care of laryngeal cancer patients, the results indicate that further research with larger sample sizes and varied methodologies is required to establish definitive conclusions.