Morgan et al identified surgical wound complications in patients who underwent surgery following chemoradiation for a head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The authors are from the University of Arkansas in Little Rock.
Patient selection: post-operative for removal of a head and neck squamous cell carcinoma with preoperative chemotherapy and radiation
Major complications:
(1) pharyngocutaneous fistula
(2) chylous fistula with exposure of the carotid artery
(3) any other complication requiring further surgery to correct
Minor complications:
(1) post-operative wound infection
(2) seroma
(3) necrosis of the skin flap
Minor wound complications reported by Lavertu et al:
(4) poor healing of the incision with breakdown
(5) granulation tissue
The risk of complications was higher with:
(1) salvage therapy
(2) high radiation doses
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