Risk Factors for 30-Day Mortality After Head and Neck Microsurgical Reconstruction for Cancer: NSQIP Analysis

To identify the incidence and risk factors for 30-day postoperative mortality after microsurgical head and neck reconstruction following oncological resection.

Retrospective case-control study.

American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database.

Microsurgical head and neck reconstructive cases were identified from 2005 to 2018 using Current Procedural Terminology codes and oncologic procedures using the International Classification of Disease 9 and 10 codes. The outcome of interest was 30-day mortality.

The 30-day postoperative mortality rate was 1.2%. Univariate logistic regression analysis identified the following associations: age >80 years, hypertension, poor functional status, preoperative wound infection, renal insufficiency, malnutrition, anemia, and prolonged operating time. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to stratify further by the degree of malnutrition and anemia. Hematocrit <30% was found to be an independent risk factor for 30-day postoperative mortality (odds ratio [OR] = 9.59, confidence interval [CI] 2.32-39.65, P < .1) with albumin <3.5 g/dL. This association was even stronger with albumin <2.5 g/dL (OR = 11.64, CI 3.06-44.25, P < .01). One-third of patients (36.6%) had preoperative anemia, of which less than 1% required preoperative transfusion, although one-quarter (24.6%) required intraoperative or 72 hours postoperative transfusion.

Preoperative anemia is a risk factor for 30-day postoperative mortality. This association seems to get stronger with worsening anemia. Identification and optimization of such patients preoperatively may mitigate the incidence of 30-day postoperative mortality.