Surgical Morbidity and Mortality in Patients after Microvascular Reconstruction for Head and Neck Cancer

Abstract

Objectives

The aim was to evaluate the importance of clinical factors in the prediction of postoperative complications in patients with microvascular reconstruction for head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC).

Design

A retrospective review of case notes was performed.

Setting

Patients treated at a single institute.

Participants

The present study included 259 patients with HNSCC treated with radical surgery and microvascular reconstruction between 1993 and 2014.

Main outcome measures

We allocated the patients to three groups using a preoperative comorbidity score based on risk factors: group A (≥ 3 risk factors, n=16), group B (2 risk factors, n=49), and group C (0 or 1 risk factor, n=194).

Results

Surgical mortality in this cohort was 1.9% (5 of 259 patients). The preoperative comorbidity score was associated with surgical mortality (p<0.001). Pharyngocutaneous fistula (p=0.001) and flap compromise (p=0.023) were more frequent as preoperative comorbidity score increased. Preoperative comorbidity score (p<0.001), advanced age (p=0.007), advanced pathologic T stage (p=0.028), advanced pathologic N stage (p=0.005), preoperative (chemo)radiotherapy (p<0.001), history of cardiovascular disease (p=0.015) and pulmonary disease (p=0.007), and diabetes (p<0.001) had significant adverse effects on 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) in a univariate analysis. The 5-DSS rates of groups A, B, and C were 30%, 37%, and 70%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that preoperative comorbidity score was significantly correlated with 5-year DSS (hazard ratio [HR], 3.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.81—6.99; p<0.001 for group A and HR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.15—3.18; p=0.013 for group B compared with group C).

Conclusion

Patients with a high preoperative comorbidity score have an increased risk of surgical mortality and morbidity after microvascular reconstruction for HNSCC.

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