title: Advantages of not using the intensive care unit after operations for oropharyngeal cancer: an audit at Worcester Royal Hospital.
abstract: We reviewed 68 cases of oral and oropharyngeal cancer that were managed without the routine use of intensive care units (ICU), to establish success rates for flaps, complications including nosocomial infections, cancellations, and length of stay. More than 98% of flaps survived and over half the patients had no complications. Low rates of perioperative infection were recorded with a median length of stay of 12 days (range 2-63), and there were no cancellations. We conclude that the routine use of a specialist head and neck ward is more appropriate than ICU for selected cases; it fulfils current guidelines for cancer services, and is an effective use of resources.
authors.affiliation: Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Hawthorn Suite, Worcester Royal Hospital, Charles Hastings Way, Worcester WR5 1JG, United Kingdom. keymcveigh@hotmail.com <keymcveigh@hotmail.com>
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: McVeigh
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: James
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Barnard
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003422:Critical Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000209:etiology; D006085:Graft Survival; D006757:Hospital Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D037981:Neck Dissection / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014140:Tracheotomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome