Serum albumin concentration and surgical site identify surgical risk for major post-operative complications in advanced head and neck patients.
BACKGROUND
To determine the relationship between peri-operative predictors of morbidity and mortality in advanced head and neck cancer patients.


METHODS
The records of 37 consecutive patients who underwent major surgery for advanced head and neck cancer were reviewed. We evaluated factors potentially predisposing to major complications after major surgery for treating advanced head and neck cancer.


RESULTS
Twenty-seven men and ten women with a median age of 59 years were included. Eighteen of the thirty-seven had an albumin level < 3.5 g/dl. All the post-operative complications occurred in hypoalbuminemic patients (p = 0.001). The fatal complication appeared in the patient with a albumin level < 0.5 g/dl. The definitive model with logistic regression analysis showed that peri-operative albumin level and the site of origin of the tumour involved a five- and twofold increase respectively in the risk of major complications after major surgery in advanced head and neck patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that hypoalbuminemia is common among head and neck patients. Hypoalbuminemia, as the site of origin of the tumour, is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality in head and neck patients who receive surgical treatment.
Department of Head and Neck Surgery, CHU de Charleroi (Vésale), Montigny le Tilleul. didier.dequanter@chu-charleroi.be
D
D
Dequanter
Ph
P
Lothaire
D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D017577:Cutaneous Fistula / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D034141:Hypoalbuminemia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016155:Oral Fistula / Q000453:epidemiology; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis*
D012709:Serum Albumin