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30-04-2024 | Neck Dissection | Head and Neck

Prevalence and risk factors of postoperative laryngeal edema in patients undergoing neck dissection

Authors: Joo Hyun Park, Goeun Park, Kyu Hyeon Hwang, Hee Chun Cho, Junyoung Kim, Subi Oh, Han-Sin Jeong

Published in: European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology

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Abstract

Purpose

Postoperative laryngeal edema (PLE) is a common complication in patients undergoing head and neck surgery, leading to symptoms such as odynophagia, dysphagia, or potential airway obstruction. However, the prevalence and risk factors of PLE in patients undergoing neck dissection (ND) have not been well investigated.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted in three steps. Initially, a pilot study of 50 consecutive ND patients revealed a preliminary PLE prevalence of 0.34. Then, the medical records of an additional 295 ND patients were reviewed to estimate the prevalence of PLE with a total width of 95% confidence interval (CI) of ± 5%. Finally, multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for PLE (n = 343).

Results

PLE occurred in 29.4% [95%CI 24.4–34.4%] of patients undergoing any type of ND, with the most common symptoms of odynophagia (75.0%) and dyspnea (11.1%). Hospital stay was just one day longer in PLE patients, responding well with short-term steroid treatment (= 0.0057). In multivariable analyses, no significant association was found between PLE occurrence and airway management. However, body mass index and the American Society of Anesthesiologists classification correlated with PLE. More importantly, surgery for oro-hypopharynx or supraglottis tumors (odds ratio, OR = 3.019, [95%CI 1.166–7.815]) and lymph node level 2(3) ND (OR = 4.214 to 5.279, [95%CI 1.160–20.529]) were significant risk factors for PLE.

Conclusions

PLE developed in approximately 30% of ND patients, causing uncomfortable symptoms. Early diagnosis and intervention of PLE in high-risk patients can improve patient care and outcomes.
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Metadata
Title
Prevalence and risk factors of postoperative laryngeal edema in patients undergoing neck dissection
Authors
Joo Hyun Park
Goeun Park
Kyu Hyeon Hwang
Hee Chun Cho
Junyoung Kim
Subi Oh
Han-Sin Jeong
Publication date
30-04-2024
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology
Print ISSN: 0937-4477
Electronic ISSN: 1434-4726
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-024-08671-4