Author:
Drescher Nicolette R.,Latortue Tayna,Brisson Ryan J.,Cassidy Vincent D.,Amdur Robert J.,Mendenhall William M.,Hitchcock Kathryn E.
Abstract
Objective:
There is an inverse relationship between cancer cure and overall treatment time (OTT) in patients treated with surgical resection and radiotherapy (RT).
Methods:
OTT was evaluated based on the reconstruction procedure in 420 patients with oral cavity and larynx cancers treated with surgery and RT between 1991 and 2020.
Results:
With OTT >85 days, the difference between no versus yes flap reconstruction was ~20 percentage points and significant for all comparisons: primary closure (+/− skin graft), 49%, vs. rotation or free flap, 71% (P<0.0001); primary closure (+/− skin graft), 49%, versus free flap without bone, 66% (P=0.0358); and primary closure (+/− skin graft), 49%, versus free flap with bone, 82% (P<0.0001).
Conclusions:
The use of flap reconstructions results in substantial increases in OTT. Findings suggest a need to reevaluate current policies regarding the choice of reconstruction and starting RT sooner after surgery.
Publisher
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)