Risk factors and Incidence of wound dehiscence after neck dissection in patients with head and neck cancer

Abstract

Background: Wound dehiscence is a complication after neck dissection (ND) in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). We investigated the incidence, risk factors, and etiology of wound dehiscence among patients who underwent ND. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed on HNC patients, excluding those with thyroid cancer, who underwent surgery first in GSVM medical college, Kanpur. Results: The clinical charts of 60 patients were reviewed, 38 were male (63.33%) and 22 female (36.6%). The demographic and clinical characteristics are presented in Table I. out of 60 patient 12 take neoadjuvent CT and 2 neoadjuvent Rt. Out of 60 patients, 54 (90%) did not develop any complications, while 6 (10%) experienced some type of wound complication. The major complications that required surgical revision were wound dehiscence (6 cases, 10%).four patients who had previously received CRT and who developed wide cervical skin flap necrosis required secondary closure 8-10 day post surgery. No major vessel rupture was observed. Conclusions: Based on our results, we predict that certain groups of patients are at high risk for wound dehiscence after major HNC surgery. Preventive measures or close monitoring in these patients may be required to reduce the likelihood of postoperative wound dehiscence. Furthermore, even though additional research is required, we would consider changing the prophylactic antibiotic regimens according to the causative organisms.