Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (677 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
An abnormal passage or communication leading from an internal organ to the surface of the body.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Cutaneous Fistulas; Fistula, Cutaneous; Fistulas, Cutaneous; External Fistula; External Fistulas; Fistula, External; Fistulas, External; Skin Fistula.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Skin Diseases; Fistula
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 3,316 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Cutaneous Fistula” (counts retrieved 2026-11-04). 468 of them (14.1%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is 2010-2019 with 1,210 records.
Reviews account for 339 records (10.2%) and meta-analyses for 33. Randomized controlled trials number 45 (1.4%) as a share of all records on the topic. Randomized trials make up only a small share of this literature, so much of what is known comes from laboratory, observational or descriptive work.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 683 |
| 2000-2009 | 955 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,210 |
| 2020 onward | 468 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 339 | 10.2% |
| Meta-analyses | 33 | 1.0% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 45 | 1.4% |
Method: PubMed query "Cutaneous Fistula"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-11-04.
Reading the evidence in bones, joints, muscles and skin
Joint, bone, muscle and skin conditions are often judged by pain scores, function questionnaires, imaging or photographs, and symptoms can fluctuate, so placebo response and natural improvement matter. Imaging changes are common in people without symptoms. Nothing on this page is advice about treatment. Check how outcomes were measured, whether the comparison group received a placebo or usual care, and how long the benefit lasted.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
Preoperative low skeletal muscle mass as a risk factor for pharyngocutaneous fistula and decreased overall survival in patients undergoing total laryngectomy [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundLow skeletal muscle mass (SMM) is associated with postoperative complications, prolonged hospital stay, and short overall survival (OS) in surgical oncology.
- Closing excerpt
- Low SMM is an independent prognostic factor for shorter OS.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (125 words)
BackgroundLow skeletal muscle mass (SMM) is associated with postoperative complications, prolonged hospital stay, and short overall survival (OS) in surgical oncology. We aimed to investigate this association in patients undergoing total laryngectomy (TL).MethodsA retrospective study was performed of patients undergoing TL. SMM was measured using CT or MRI scans at the level of the third cervical vertebra (C3).ResultsIn all, 235 patients were included. Low SMM was observed in 109 patients (46.4%). Patients with low SMM had more pharyngocutaneous fistulas (PCFs) than patients with normal SMM (34.9% vs 20.6%; P = .02) and prolonged hospital stay (median, 17 vs 14 days; P ConclusionLow SMM is associated with PCF and prolonged hospital stay in patients undergoing TL. Low SMM is an independent prognostic factor for shorter OS.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 30663159 · DOI · PMC6590286
Postoperative outcomes in distal hypospadias: a meta-analysis of the Mathieu and tubularized incised plate repair methods for development of urethrocutaneous fistula and urethral stricture [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- PurposeTo compare the two major complications, namely postoperative urethrocutaneous fistula and urethral stricture, between the Mathieu and tubularized incised plate (TIP) repair methods for distal hypospadias.
- Closing excerpt
- 8; P ConclusionCompared with TIP repair, Mathieu repair for hypospadias had a significantly lower risk for urethral stricture; however, the risk for urethrocutaneous fistula was similar.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (168 words)
PurposeTo compare the two major complications, namely postoperative urethrocutaneous fistula and urethral stricture, between the Mathieu and tubularized incised plate (TIP) repair methods for distal hypospadias.MethodsIn this meta-analysis, electronic databases were searched for comparative studies on the two techniques. The Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine Levels of Evidence was used to evaluate the included studies. The main outcome measure was the frequency of postoperative fistula and urethral stricture. RevMan 5.3 was used for statistical analyses, with P ResultsA total of 17 studies, which included 1572 patients, met the inclusion criteria. The frequency of urethrocutaneous fistula did not differ between the Mathieu [115 (13%)] and TIP [90 (13%)] methods [odds ratio (OR) 1.1, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.6-1.9; P = 0.73)]. Urethral stricture was less frequent after the Mathieu [15 (2%)] method than after the TIP [37 (5%)] method (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.3-0.8; P ConclusionCompared with TIP repair, Mathieu repair for hypospadias had a significantly lower risk for urethral stricture; however, the risk for urethrocutaneous fistula was similar.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 31372729 · DOI · PMC6800881
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Infection as a causative agent of fistula formation following total laryngectomy for advanced head & neck cancer [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- AimsThe purpose of this paper was to investigate the impact of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) infection in the aetiology of pharyngo-cutaneous fistula (PCF) formation following total laryngectomy for advanced laryngeal cancer.
- Closing excerpt
- Patients who underwent total laryngectomy following radiotherapy failure are at a higher risk of acquiring MRSA.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (166 words)
AimsThe purpose of this paper was to investigate the impact of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) infection in the aetiology of pharyngo-cutaneous fistula (PCF) formation following total laryngectomy for advanced laryngeal cancer.MethodsThis was a retrospective uncontrolled case study series of 31 consecutive patients based in a single institution tertiary referral head and neck oncology centre.ResultsPharyngo-cutaneous fistulas (PCF) following total laryngectomy occurred in 10 (32%) patients. MRSA was identified in 80% of patients with a PCF compared to 9% of patients that did not develop a fistula (p = 0.0001255 Fisher exact test). MRSA infection (p = 0.00012) and previous radiotherapy (p = 0.00025) were the only significant factors found to be important in fistula formation on multivariate analysis. Post-operative infections such as cellulitis, chest infection and carotid fistula were also associated with MRSA infections.ConclusionMRSA infection following total laryngectomy for laryngeal cancer can lead to potential serious complications such as PCF. Patients who underwent total laryngectomy following radiotherapy failure are at a higher risk of acquiring MRSA.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 20584326 · DOI · PMC2907379
A modified vertical pressure bandage to prevent pharyngocutaneous fistula after total laryngectomy [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- ObjectivePharyngocutaneous Fistula (PCF) is one of the most common and challenging postoperative complications after Total Laryngectomy (TLE).
- Closing excerpt
- Level of evidenceLevel 4.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (218 words)
ObjectivePharyngocutaneous Fistula (PCF) is one of the most common and challenging postoperative complications after Total Laryngectomy (TLE). This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the modified Vertical Pressure Bandage (VPB) on the occurrence of Pharyngocutaneous Fistula (PCF) after Total Laryngectomy (TLE) for Head and Neck (H&N) cancer.MethodsThis retrospective study included patients with H&N cancer who underwent TLE at our hospital between January 2010 and January 2021. The patients were grouped according to whether modified VPB was used or not after surgery. The primary outcome was the occurrence of PCF. The secondary outcomes were the interval from operation to PCF, the healing time of PCF, and the length of hospital stay.ResultsThis study included 133 patients: 82 (aged 57.93 ± 10.18 years, 80 males) in the VPB group and 51 (aged 54.98 ± 9.22 years, 51 males) in the conventional group. Patients who received the modified VPB had a significantly lower occurrence of PCF compared with those did not (9.8% vs. 33.3%, p = 0.001). In addition, the patients in the VPB group had similar interval from the operation to the PCF (p = 0.374) and healing time of PCF (p = 0.256) but a significantly shorter length of hospital stay (p ConclusionThe modified VPB might reduce the occurrence of PCF after TLE for H&N cancers.Level of evidenceLevel 4.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 39753044 · DOI · PMC11753971
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Complications in head and neck surgery: a meta-analysis of postlaryngectomy pharyngocutaneous fistula [5]
- Research article Systematic review and meta-analysis of the open abdomen and temporary abdominal closure techniques in non-trauma patients [6]
- Research article Classification and pathophysiology of enterocutaneous fistulas [7]
- Research article Risk factors for postoperative intra-abdominal septic complications after surgery in Crohn's disease: A meta-analysis of observational studies [8]
- Research article Preventing pharyngo-cutaneous fistula in total laryngectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis [9]
- Research article Current management of enterocutaneous fistula [10]
References
- Bril SI, Pezier TF, Tijink BM, Janssen LM, Braunius WW, de Bree R. Preoperative low skeletal muscle mass as a risk factor for pharyngocutaneous fistula and decreased overall survival in patients undergoing total laryngectomy. . 2019. PMID 30663159 · DOI · PMC6590286
- Winberg H, Arnbjörnsson E, Anderberg M, Stenström P. Postoperative outcomes in distal hypospadias: a meta-analysis of the Mathieu and tubularized incised plate repair methods for development of urethrocutaneous fistula and urethral stricture. . 2019. PMID 31372729 · DOI · PMC6800881
- Jeannon JP, Orabi A, Manganaris A, Simo R. Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Infection as a causative agent of fistula formation following total laryngectomy for advanced head & neck cancer. . 2010. PMID 20584326 · DOI · PMC2907379
- Duan X, Xu J, Liu X, Wang D, Chen B. A modified vertical pressure bandage to prevent pharyngocutaneous fistula after total laryngectomy. . 2025. PMID 39753044 · DOI · PMC11753971
- Paydarfar JA, Birkmeyer NJ. Complications in head and neck surgery: a meta-analysis of postlaryngectomy pharyngocutaneous fistula. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2006. PMID 16415432 · DOI
- Atema JJ, Gans SL, Boermeester MA. Systematic review and meta-analysis of the open abdomen and temporary abdominal closure techniques in non-trauma patients. World J Surg. 2015. PMID 25446477 · DOI
- Berry SM, Fischer JE. Classification and pathophysiology of enterocutaneous fistulas. Surg Clin North Am. 1996. PMID 8841361 · DOI
- Huang W, Tang Y, Nong L, Sun Y. Risk factors for postoperative intra-abdominal septic complications after surgery in Crohn's disease: A meta-analysis of observational studies. J Crohns Colitis. 2015. PMID 25572276 · DOI
- Sayles M, Grant DG. Preventing pharyngo-cutaneous fistula in total laryngectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Laryngoscope. 2014. PMID 24122657 · DOI
- Evenson AR, Fischer JE. Current management of enterocutaneous fistula. J Gastrointest Surg. 2006. PMID 16504896 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-11-04; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-11-04.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.