Description

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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