Preoperative nutritional evaluation, surgical site infection, and prognosis in patients with oral cancer

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2022 Aug;134(2):168-175. doi: 10.1016/j.oooo.2022.01.009. Epub 2022 Jan 16.

Abstract

Objectives: The risk of postoperative infection after reconstructive oral cancer surgery is high and poses a problem in perioperative management. The objective of this study was to verify the association between preoperative nutritional indicators, surgical site infection (SSI), and long-term prognosis after reconstruction for oral cancer.

Study design: Sixty-seven patients admitted to a dental hospital were enrolled. The following nutritional indicators were examined: serum albumin level, modified Glasgow Prognostic Score, Miki's Glasgow Prognostic Score, prognostic nutritional index, platelet/lymphocyte ratio, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, lymphocyte/monocyte ratio, and the Controlling Nutritional Status tool. Statistical analyses were conducted to determine potential risk factors for SSI.

Results: The Cox proportional hazards model demonstrated that SSI and platelet/lymphocyte ratio ≥211.4 were independent prognostic factors affecting survival. The results demonstrated that albumin <4.0 and platelet/lymphocyte ratio ≥211.4 were risk factors for SSI. Furthermore, albumin <4.0, platelet/lymphocyte ratio ≥211.4, and SSI were correlated with prognosis. Preoperative nutritional indicators were associated with SSI and prognosis in patients with oral cancer after reconstructive surgery.

Conclusion: Preoperative nutritional therapy is crucial for improving therapeutic outcomes in patients with oral cancer who require reconstructive surgery.

MeSH terms

  • Albumins
  • Humans
  • Mouth Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Nutrition Assessment
  • Nutritional Status
  • Prognosis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Surgical Wound Infection*

Substances

  • Albumins