title: Early feeding after total laryngectomy results in shorter hospital stay without increased risk of complications: a retrospective case-control study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of a reduced nil per os (NPO) period after total laryngectomy (TLE) on general and wound-related post-operative complications, swallowing function and duration of hospital stay.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a retrospective case-control study in 71 patients after TLE with primary closure (i e. without reconstruction with tissue transfer), complications and hospitalisation in 36 patients who started oral feeding on days 3-5 (early feeding) were compared with 30 patients who started oral feeding on days 7-10 (late feeding).
  
  
  METHODS
  Incidence of complications, swallowing function and duration of hospitalisation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences between the early- and late-feeding groups in the occurrence of pharyngocutaneous fistulae, neopharyngeal stenosis or wound complications in general. Swallowing function was comparable for both groups. Mean overall hospitalisation was 2 days shorter in the early-feeding group (mean: 17.4 days) as compared to the late-feeding group (mean: 19.4 days) (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early feeding after TLE without flap reconstruction did not contribute to an increase in complications and led to a shorter hospital stay.
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors: C M C
authors: CM
authors: Serbanescu-Kele
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors: G B
authors: GB
authors: Halmos
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Wedman
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors: B F A M
authors: BF
authors: van der Laan
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors: B E C
authors: BE
authors: Plaat
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D007825:Laryngectomy; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000639:trends*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors