Tobacco use and surgical outcomes in patients with head and neck cancer. Issue 5 (17th May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hatcher, Jeanne L.; Sterba, Katherine R.; Tooze, Janet A.; Day, Terry A.; Carpenter, Matthew J.; Alberg, Anthony J.; Sullivan, Christopher A.; Fitzgerald, Nora C.; Weaver, Kathryn E.
• Is Part Of: Head & neck. Volume 38:Issue 5(2016)
• Page Start: 700
• Page End: 706
• Publication Date: 2015-05-17
• Subjects: tobacco -- cotinine -- head and neck cancer -- length of stay -- postoperative complication; Head -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neck -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Head -- Periodicals; Neck -- Periodicals; Face -- Periodicals; 617.51059
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.23944
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1043-3074

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Tobacco use is a risk factor for head and neck cancer, but effects on postoperative outcomes are unclear. Methods: Patients with head and neck cancer ( n = 89) were recruited before surgery. We assessed self‐reported tobacco use status (never, former, or current) at study entry and recent tobacco exposure via urinary cotinine on surgery day. Outcomes included hospital length of stay (LOS) and complications. Results: Most participants reported current (32.6%) or former (52.8%) tobacco use; 43.2% were cotinine‐positive on surgery day. Complications occurred in 41.6% and mean LOS was 4.0 and 8.8 days in patients who received low and high acuity procedures, respectively. Current and former smokers were over 6 times more likely to have complications than never smokers ( p = .03). For high acuity procedures, LOS was increased in current (by 4.4 days) and former smokers (by 2.3 days; p = .02). Conclusion: Tobacco use status is associated with postoperative complications and may distinguish at‐risk patients. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: 700–706, 2016