Relation between nutritional state and postoperative complications in patients with oral and maxillofacial malignancy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of nutrition in the development of postoperative complications in patients with oral and maxillofacial malignancy.


METHODS
Ninety-six patients treated surgically for oral and maxillofacial malignancy, 27 of whom developed postoperative complications; the remaining 69 recovered uneventfully. Nutritional state and clinical variables in the two groups were compared.


RESULTS
The incidence of poor nutrition was greater in the complication group (56%) than in the uncomplicated group (20%) (p<0.001); the values for body weight, triceps skinfold thickness, arm circumference, arm muscle circumference, and creatinine-height index decreased more in the complicated than in the uncomplicated group (p<0.001); nitrogen and calorie intake during the first postoperative week was less in the complicated than in the uncomplicated group (p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Poor nutrition plays an important part in the development of postoperative complications, and perioperative nutritional support of patients with oral and maxillofacial cancer must be properly managed.
Guo
Chuan-Bin
CB
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Peking University, Beijing 100081, The People's Republic of China. guodazou@sina.com
Ma
Da-Quan
DQ
Zhang
Kui-Hua
KH
Hu
Xiao-Hong
XH
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007573:Jaw Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000150:complications*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery