Risk factors for late postoperative bleeding after partial glossectomy for tongue cancer

Partial glossectomy is the most common procedure for early-stage tongue cancer. Although late postoperative bleeding occasionally occurs, the associated risk factors have not been adequately identified.

We aimed to investigate the rate and risk factors for late postoperative bleeding after transoral partial glossectomy with or without neck dissection for tongue cancer at our institution.

We analysed 211 patients who had undergone transoral partial glossectomy between January 2016 and January 2023. The potential risk factors associated with late postoperative bleeding were investigated using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Of the 211 patients, 40 (19%) showed late postoperative bleeding, with 19 (9%) classified as grade IIIa (Clavien-Dindo classification). Regarding all grades, late postoperative bleeding was significantly higher in patients aged <70 years and in those with polyglycolic acid (PGA) sheets (p = .046 and .030, respectively). For grade ≥ IIIa, late postoperative bleeding was significantly higher in patients with a history of anticoagulant/platelet administration, a mucosal defect covered with fibrin glue and a PGA sheet (p = .045 and .026, respectively).

The findings of this study suggest that primary closure decreases the frequency of late postoperative bleeding.