title: Relation between nutritional state and postoperative complications in patients with oral and maxillofacial malignancy.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Peking University, Beijing 100081, The People's Republic of China. guodazou@sina.com
authors.forename: Chuan-Bin
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Da-Quan
authors.initials: DQ
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Kui-Hua
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xiao-Hong
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Hu
mesh_terms: 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