Risk factors for wound infection after surgery in primary oral cavity cancer patients.
OBJECTIVE
Few studies have discussed the predictive factors of surgical wound infection (WI) in primary oral cavity cancer patients. Therefore, we aimed to determine the relevant factors associated with postoperative WI in a large group of patients with oral cavity cancers.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed 1,693 chart records of oral cavity cancer patients. Twenty variables were obtained from chart review. Statistical methods included descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and a multiple logistic regression model for investigating the predictive factors for WI.


RESULTS
Postoperative WI rate was 19.8%. Diabetes mellitus (odds ratio [OR]: 2.511, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.409-4.475), perioperative blood transfusion (OR: 4.293, 95% CI: 2.448-7.529), reconstruction with free flap or pectoris major myocutaneous flap (OR: 3.682, 95% CI: 1.909-7.102), and postoperative serum albumin level less than 2.8 g/dL (OR: 2.853, 95% CI: 1.928-4.221) were all independent factors associated with postoperative WI.


CONCLUSIONS
Recognition of relevant factors can help surgeons to identify those at high risk of WI after surgery for primary oral cavity cancer and can enable better management of such cases.
Liu
Shih-An
SA
Department of Otolaryngology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
Wong
Yong-Kie
YK
Poon
Chiu-Kwan
CK
Wang
Chen-Chi
CC
Wang
Ching-Ping
CP
Tung
Kwong-Chung
KC
D000328:Adult; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology
D012709:Serum Albumin