Abstract
Objective: The aim of our study was to identify predictive factors for postoperative wound complications of advanced head and neck cancer. The Chi-square test and logistic regression method were used for the statistical analysis.
Material and Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed for patients with advanced head and neck cancer who had been surgically treated at Kyoto Medical Center between January 2008 and June 2011.
Results: A total of 106 patients (mean age 66.4, male: female=84: 22) were enrolled in this study. Forty-six (43.4%) patients had postoperative wound complications. The selected candidate predictive factors were: sex, age, ASA score, T4 stage, induction chemotherapy, bilateral neck dissection, free flap reconstruction, contaminated cervical field, mandibular resection, and blood loss (>600g). On univariate analysis, the factors associated with wound complications included free flap usage and contaminated cervical field. Only free flap reconstruction remained independently significant on multivariate analysis (p=0.030, Odds ratio 3.36).
Conclusion: Free flap reconstruction is an independent predictive factor for postoperative wound complications in patients with advanced head and neck cancer.
