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Justin E. Morgan, MD; Randall L. Breau, MD; James Y. Suen, MD; Ehab Y. Hanna, MD

Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2007;133(1):10-14.

Objective  To define the rate of complications from surgery following intensive chemoradiotherapy in patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Design  The medical records of 131 consecutive patients treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma from 1995 through 2002 were reviewed. Thirty-eight patients underwent 50 surgical procedures. Thirty-seven neck dissections were performed either for persistent disease, initial neck stage N2 or greater, recurrent disease, or electively as part of salvage surgery for the primary site. Thirteen salvage operations were performed for persistent or recurrent disease at the primary site.

Setting  Academic tertiary care referral center.

Patients  A total of 131 consecutive patients treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (mean age at diagnosis, 53 years).

Main Outcome Measure  Rate of complications from surgery.

Results  Wound complications occurred in 4 (11%) of 38 patients and 5 (10%) of 50 procedures. Major wound complications occurred in 3 (8%) of 38 patients. Minor wound complications occurred in 2 patients (5%).

Conclusion  Surgery can be safely performed after intensive chemoradiotherapy.

Author Affiliations: Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock. Dr Morgan is now with the Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinic, United States Air Force Academy Hospital, USAFA, Colo. Dr Hanna is now with the Head and Neck Center, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston.

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