Venous thromboembolism in patients with head and neck cancer after surgery1. Issue 1 (2nd February 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thai, Leo; McCarn, Kate; Stott, William; Watts, Tammara; Wax, Mark K.; Andersen, Peter E.; Gross, Neil D.
• Is Part Of: Head & neck. Volume 35:Issue 1(2013:Jan.)
• Page Start: 4
• Page End: 9
• Publication Date: 2012-02-02
• Subjects: venous thromboembolism -- deep venous thrombosis -- pulmonary embolism -- squamous cell carcinoma -- surgery; Head -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neck -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Head -- Periodicals; Neck -- Periodicals; Face -- Periodicals; 617.51059
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.22920
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1043-3074

Abstract

Abstract: Background: The purpose of this study was to report the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with head and neck cancer after surgery. Methods: This was a single‐institution, retrospective cohort: 134 patients underwent resection and simultaneous microvascular reconstruction. The primary endpoint was identification of confirmed or suspicious VTE within 30 days of surgery. Results: Two subjects (1.4%) with confirmed VTE (1 pulmonary embolism, 1 deep venous thrombosis) and 6 subjects (4.4%) with suspicious VTE (1 acute respiratory failure, 1 sudden cardiac arrest, and 4 cases of leg edema without imaging) were identified. The strongest predictors of possible VTE were prior VTE ( p = .004; odds ratio [OR], 25.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13–556.40), red cell transfusion ( p = .009; OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.16–2.80), high body mass index ( p = .015, OR, 1.29, 95% CI, 1.05–1.58), and older age ( p = .046; OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.00–1.19). Conclusion: The incidence of VTE in patients with head and neck cancer after resection and microvascular reconstruction ranged from 1.4% to 5.8%. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2013