title: Surgical wound complications after intensive chemoradiotherapy for advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To define the rate of complications from surgery following intensive chemoradiotherapy in patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
  
  
  METHODS
  The medical records of 131 consecutive patients treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma from 1995 through 2002 were reviewed. Thirty-eight patients underwent 50 surgical procedures. Thirty-seven neck dissections were performed either for persistent disease, initial neck stage N2 or greater, recurrent disease, or electively as part of salvage surgery for the primary site. Thirteen salvage operations were performed for persistent or recurrent disease at the primary site.
  
  
  METHODS
  Academic tertiary care referral center.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 131 consecutive patients treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (mean age at diagnosis, 53 years). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE; Rate of complications from surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Wound complications occurred in 4 (11%) of 38 patients and 5 (10%) of 50 procedures. Major wound complications occurred in 3 (8%) of 38 patients. Minor wound complications occurred in 2 patients (5%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surgery can be safely performed after intensive chemoradiotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, USA. Morganjk99@msn.com
authors.forename: Justin E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: Randall L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Breau
authors.forename: James Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Suen
authors.forename: Ehab Y
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Hanna
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D017577:Cutaneous Fistula / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000209:etiology; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D037981:Neck Dissection; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D016879:Salvage Therapy