[Complications after surgery of ENT-tumors. A comparison between preoperatively irradiated and nonirradiated patients]

Complications after preoperative high-dosage radiation of head and neck cancer are reported: 1. Preoperative radiation leads to complications in 42% compared to surgery alone in 20%. The results are statistically significant (alpha = 2%). 2. The complications after preoperative radiation are more severe (three ruptures of the carotid artery, three defects, which could only be managed by flap rotation). These results indicate the preoperative high-dosage radiation implies the risk of major surgical complications.