Abstract
Microvascular free tissue transfer reconstruction following resection of oral cancer
is commonly chosen as the first line of treatment due to its superior functional outcomes.
Multiple patient and surgical factors impact the length of postoperative stay, and
the time taken for patients to recommence oral feeding. This study aimed to identify
factors that increase the length of stay and time to resumption of feeding. We retrospectively
evaluated 100 cases from March 2015 to October 2020, and identified variables associated
with increased length of stay (LOS) and time to resumption of feeding in univariate
and multivariate analyses. Factors found to be associated with increased LOS in multivariate
analysis were increasing age, elective tracheostomy, tumours originating from the
floor of the mouth and mandible, a longer operating time, and use of fibular free
flaps (p<0.05). Tracheostomy, increasing age, and female gender were strongly associated
with delays in resumption of some types of oral feeding, and an integrated critical
care unit (ICCU) stay of two or more days was associated with a longer time to resumption
of free fluids. This information can be used to anticipate extensions to typical LOS,
to produce cost analyses, develop individual patient risk stratification, manage patient
expectations, and target the use of enhanced recovery programmes.
Keywords
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Article Info
Publication History
Published online: July 21, 2022
Accepted:
July 11,
2022
Received in revised form:
June 17,
2022
Received:
April 1,
2022
Identification
Copyright
Crown Copyright © 2022 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. All rights reserved.
