Impact of patient comorbidities on head and neck microvascular reconstruction. A report on 423 cases

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the different subtypes of patient comorbidities on the outcomes of head and neck microvascular reconstruction. A total of 423 patients who underwent head and neck free flap reconstruction in our institution between 2000 and 2010 were included in this retrospective study. The impact of the different subtypes of patient comorbidities (as defined by the Kaplan-Feinstein Index) and other global health status-related factors on free flap success, local and general complications, postoperative mortality and length of stay was assessed in univariate and multivariate analysis. We found no correlation between patient comorbidities and free flap failure. In multivariate analysis, we demonstrated a significant correlation between tobacco consumption (p = 0.04) and local complications. Gastro-intestinal comorbidity (p = 0.005) and malnutrition (p = 0.02) were associated with a higher risk of fistula formation. Diabetes mellitus (p = 0.003), gastro-intestinal (p = 0.02), systemic (p = 0.02) and cardiac comorbidities (p = 0.03) were significant predictors of medical complications. We concluded that the different subtypes of patient comorbidities were relevant predictors of complications in head and neck microvascular reconstruction.