Impact of comorbidities on immediate post-operative complications in oral cavity free flap patients.

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between comorbidities and the development of immediate post-operative complications in patients undergoing oral cavity composite resection (OCCR) with free flap (FF) reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis was completed on all consecutive OCCRs with FF reconstruction performed at a single quaternary care facility between 1999 and 2020. Comorbidities, immediate post-operative complications, patient demographics, and tumor characteristics were collected. Odds ratios (OR) with 95 % confidence intervals were calculated for associations between comorbidities and immediate post-operative complications. RESULTS: 320 patients who underwent OCCR with FF reconstruction were included. One hundred twenty-one (37.8 %) patients developed a post-operative complication during their initial hospital admission. The most common complications were non-pneumonia cardiopulmonary events (14.1 %), pneumonia (9.4 %), and wound infection (8.4 %). Other complications included flap compromise, bleeding, and fistula. On multivariate analysis, patients without comorbid conditions were less likely to develop a post-operative complication (OR 0.64; 0.41-0.98). Atrial fibrillation (OR 2.94; 1.17-7.39) and cerebrovascular disease (OR 2.28; 1.08-4.84) were associated with increased odds of developing any complications. Furthermore, cerebrovascular disease (OR: 2.33; 1.04-5.39) and peripheral vascular disease (OR: 2.7; 1.2-6.08) were independently associated with pneumonia. CONCLUSION: In this retrospective review of patients undergoing OCCR with FF reconstruction for oral cavity SCC, lack of identifiable comorbidities appeared to be protective for post-operative complications while atrial fibrillation and cerebrovascular disease were associated with increased odds of any complication. Pre-existing vascular disease was also associated with an increased risk of pneumonia.

Uncoupling protein 2 deficiency of non-cancerous tissues inhibits the progression of pancreatic cancer in mice.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a disease of the elderly mostly because its development from preneoplastic lesions depends on the accumulation of gene mutations and epigenetic alterations over time. How aging of non-cancerous tissues of the host affects tumor progression, however, remains largely unknown. METHODS: We took advantage of a model of accelerated aging, uncoupling protein 2-deficient (Ucp2 knockout, Ucp2 KO) mice, to investigate the growth of orthotopically transplanted Ucp2 wild-type (WT) PDAC cells (cell lines Panc02 and 6606PDA) in vivo and to study strain-dependent differences of the PDAC microenvironment. RESULTS: Measurements of tumor weights and quantification of proliferating cells indicated a significant growth advantage of Panc02 and 6606PDA cells in WT mice compared to Ucp2 KO mice. In tumors in the knockout strain, higher levels of interferon-γ mRNA despite similar numbers of tumor-infiltrating T cells were observed. 6606PDA cells triggered a stronger stromal reaction in Ucp2 KO mice than in WT animals. Accordingly, pancreatic stellate cells from Ucp2 KO mice proliferated at a higher rate than cells of the WT strain when they were incubated with conditioned media from PDAC cells. CONCLUSIONS: Ucp2 modulates PDAC microenvironment in a way that favors tumor progression and implicates an altered stromal response as one of the underlying mechanisms.

Delayed Upper Aerodigestive Tract Perforation from Anterior Cervical Spine Hardware: Treatment and Swallowing Outcomes.

Delayed upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) perforation is a rare complication of anterior cervical spinal hardware. The purpose of this study was to investigate swallowing outcomes between treatment approaches for delayed UADT perforation. A retrospective chart review was performed on patients with anterior cervical hardware and delayed UADT perforation who were treated at a single tertiary care center between 2000 and 2020. Of the twelve patients identified, most patients presented with dysphagia (n = 9, 75%) and/or neck pain (n = 7, 58%). Perforations generally occurred at the level of C6 (n = 6, 50%) and C7 (n = 4, 33%) and spanned only one spinal level (n = 8, 67%). The majority (n = 8, 67%) of patients were past or current cigarette users. Operative approaches included primary repair (n = 5, 42%) and rotational flap (n = 4, 33%); the rotational flap harvest sites included supraclavicular fasciocutaneous (n = 2), infrahyoid muscle (n = 1), and sternocleidomastoid muscle (n = 1). While most patients demonstrated penetration and/or aspiration on first post-operative swallow study (n = 6), this resolved completely within a median time of 31 days. There were no differences in swallowing outcomes between repair approaches. Patient smoking history appears to be a clear risk factor for the development of delayed UADT perforation from anterior cervical spine hardware. A variety of techniques can be used to repair these perforations, and there were no differences in swallowing outcomes between repair approaches.

Impact of COVID-19 on presentation, staging, and treatment of head and neck mucosal squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: During the COVID-19 pandemic, maintenance of safe and timely oncologic care has been challenging. The goal of this study is to compare presenting symptoms, staging, and treatment of head and neck mucosal squamous cell carcinoma during the pandemic with an analogous timeframe one year prior. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study at a single tertiary academic center of new adult patients evaluated in a head and neck surgical oncology clinic from March -July 2019 (pre-pandemic control) and March - July 2020 (COVID-19 pandemic). RESULTS: During the pandemic, the proportion of patients with newly diagnosed malignancies increased by 5%, while the overall number of new patients decreased (n = 575) compared to the control year (n = 776). For patients with mucosal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), median time from referral to initial clinic visit decreased from 11 days (2019) to 8 days (2020) (p = 0.0031). There was no significant difference in total number (p = 0.914) or duration (p = 0.872) of symptoms. During the pandemic, patients were more likely to present with regional nodal metastases (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.846, 95% CI 1.072-3.219, p = 0.028) and more advanced clinical nodal (N) staging (p = 0.011). No significant difference was seen for clinical tumor (T) (p = 0.502) or metastasis (M) staging (p = 0.278). No significant difference in pathologic T (p = 0.665), or N staging (p = 0.907) was found between the two periods. CONCLUSION: Head and neck mucosal SCC patients presented with more advanced clinical nodal disease during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic despite no change in presenting symptoms.

Neuroendocrine carcinomas of the head and neck: A small case series.

INTRODUCTION: Neuroendocrine tumors of the head and neck are rare and arise either from epithelial or neuronal origin. Debate continues over the classification systems and appropriate management of these pathologies. OBJECTIVE: By investigating a small set of cases of high grade epithelial-derived neuroendocrine tumors of the head and neck (neuroendocrine carcinomas or NEC) from one institution, we compare survival rates of NEC of the head and neck to pulmonary NEC. METHODS: We identified patients from pathology records with neuroendocrine carcinomas of the head and neck and retrospectively collected clinical data as well as immunohistochemical (IHC) staining data. RESULTS: We identified 14 patients with NEC, arising from the parotid (n = 5), nasal cavity (n = 4), larynx (n = 2), and other regions (n = 2). One additional patient had NEC arising in two sites simultaneously (parotid and nasal). Staining patterns using IHC were relatively consistent across specimens, showing reactivity to chromogranin and synaptophysin in 73% and 100% of specimens, respectively. Treatment courses varied across patients and included combinations of surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation. The overall survival rate at 1, 2, and 5 years of these patients was 56%, 56%, and 43% with a mean follow-up time of 2.12 years. CONCLUSION: Compared to NEC arising in the lung, this subset of patients had better survival rates, but worse survival rates than the more common squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Impact of diet and genes on murine autoimmune pancreatitis.

The impact of environmental factors, such as diet, and the genetic basis of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) are largely unknown. Here, we used an experimental murine AIP model to identify the contribution of diet to AIP development, as well as to fine-map AIP-associated genes in outbred mice prone to develop the disease. For this purpose, we fed mice of an autoimmune-prone intercross line (AIL) three different diets (control, calorie-reduced and western diet) for 6 months, at which point the mice were genotyped and phenotyped for AIP. Overall, 269 out of 734 mice (36.6%) developed AIP with signs of parenchymal destruction, equally affecting mice of both sexes. AIP prevalence and severity were reduced by approximately 50% in mice held under caloric restriction compared to those fed control or western diet. We identified a quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 4 to be associated with AIP, which is located within a previously reported QTL. This association does not change when considering diet or sex as an additional variable for the mapping. Using whole-genome sequences of the AIL founder strains, we resolved this QTL to a single candidate gene, namely Map3k7. Expression of Map3k7 was largely restricted to islet cells as well as lymphocytes found in the exocrine pancreas of mice with AIP. Our studies suggest a major impact of diet on AIP. Furthermore, we identify Map3k7 as a novel susceptibility gene for experimental AIP. Both findings warrant clinical translation.

Preclinical insights into the gut-skeletal muscle axis in chronic gastrointestinal diseases.

Muscle wasting represents a constant pathological feature of common chronic gastrointestinal diseases, including liver cirrhosis (LC), inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), chronic pancreatitis (CP) and pancreatic cancer (PC), and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Recent clinical and experimental studies point to the existence of a gut-skeletal muscle axis that is constituted by specific gut-derived mediators which activate pro- and anti-sarcopenic signalling pathways in skeletal muscle cells. A pathophysiological link between both organs is also provided by low-grade systemic inflammation. Animal models of LC, IBD, CP and PC represent an important resource for mechanistic and preclinical studies on disease-associated muscle wasting. They are also required to test and validate specific anti-sarcopenic therapies prior to clinical application. In this article, we review frequently used rodent models of muscle wasting in the context of chronic gastrointestinal diseases, survey their specific advantages and limitations and discuss possibilities for further research activities in the field. We conclude that animal models of LC-, IBD- and PC-associated sarcopenia are an essential supplement to clinical studies because they may provide additional mechanistic insights and help to identify molecular targets for therapeutic interventions in humans.

Transcervical sonography and human papillomavirus 16 E6 antibodies are sensitive for the detection of oropharyngeal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus 16 (HPV-16) E6 seropositivity is a promising early marker of human papillomavirus-driven oropharyngeal cancer (HPV-OPC), yet more sensitive imaging modalities are needed before screening is considered. The objective of this study was to determine the sensitivity of transcervical sonography (TCS) for detecting clinically apparent HPV-OPC in comparison with computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET)/CT. METHODS: Fifty-one patients with known or suspected HPV-OPC without prior treatment underwent oropharyngeal TCS and blood collection (for HPV multiplex serology testing). Eight standard sonographic images were collected; primary-site tumors were measured in 3 dimensions if identified. Each patient underwent a full diagnostic workup as part of standard clinical care. The pathologic details, HPV status, final staging, and imaging findings were abstracted from the medical record. The sensitivity of each imaging modality was compared with the final clinical diagnosis (the gold standard). RESULTS: Twenty-four base of tongue cancers (47%), 22 tonsillar cancers (43%), and 2 unknown primary cancers (4%) were diagnosed; 3 patients (6%) had no tumors. All p16-tested patients were positive (n = 47). Primary-site tumors were correctly identified in 90.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 78.6%-96.7%) with TCS, in 69.4% (95% CI, 54.6%-81.7%) with CT, and in 83.3% (95% CI, 68.6%-93.0%) with PET/CT. TCS identified tumors in 10 of 14 cases missed by CT and recognized the absence of tumors in 3 cases for which CT or PET/CT was falsely positive. The smallest sonographically identified primary-site tumor was 0.5 cm in its greatest dimension; the average size was 2.3 cm. Among p16-positive patients, 76.1% (95% CI, 61.2%-87.4%) were seropositive for HPV-16 E6. CONCLUSIONS: TCS and HPV-16 E6 antibodies are sensitive for the diagnosis of HPV-OPC.

Existing Predictive Models for Postoperative Pulmonary Complications Perform Poorly in a Head and Neck Surgery Population.

Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) are common following major surgical procedures. Risk stratification tools have been developed to identify patients at risk for PPCs. While otolaryngology cases were included in the development of common predictive tools, they comprised small percentages in each tool. It is unclear how these tools perform in patients undergoing major head and neck surgery with free flap reconstruction. This retrospective review studied all free flap reconstructions in head and neck surgery over a 12-year period at a single institution in the southeastern US. Baseline demographic and medical information were included for each case. All cases were reviewed for development of major PPCs, including pneumonia and respiratory failure. The cohort underwent risk stratification using the ARISCAT and Gupta pulmonary risk indices. Performance of these predictive models for head and neck surgery was determined through receiver-operator curve comparison. 794 patients were identified with a median age of 62 years (IQR 41-83). Sixty-five percent were male. Forty-three (5.4%) developed pneumonia, 23 patients developed respiratory failure (2.9%), and 38 patients developed both (4.8%), resulting in a total PPC proportion of 13.1% (n = 104). Both ARISCAT and Gupta pulmonary risk indices demonstrated low discrimination to predict PPCs in head and neck free flap reconstruction, with areas under the curve of 0.60 and 0.65, respectively. Two major indices for prediction of postoperative pulmonary complications do not accurately identify risk in patients undergoing major head and neck surgery. Further studies are needed to develop predictive tools for PPCs in this high-risk population.

Adoptive transfer of CD3+ T cells and CD4+ CD44high memory T cells induces autoimmune pancreatitis in MRL/MpJ mice.

The immunopathogenesis of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is poorly understood. Here, we have used MRL/MpJ mice, a model of spontaneous AIP, to address the role of cellular autoimmune processes in the initiation and progression of the disease. Therefore, different T cell subpopulations were adoptively transferred from sick to still healthy (but susceptible) MRL/MpJ mice. Unpurified splenocytes and CD3+ T cells both efficiently induced AIP, while CD4+ and CD8+ T cells alone, as well as splenocytes from healthy mice, were insufficient to trigger the disease. Strikingly, CD4+ CD44high memory T cells, although transferred at lower numbers than other T cells, also induced AIP in recipient mice. Employing a modified experimental design, we also evaluated the effects of regulatory T cells (Tregs ) on the progression of AIP in already diseased mice. Under the given experimental conditions, there was no significant suppressive effect of adoptively transferred Tregs on pancreatic histopathology. The results of our studies suggest a key role of T cell-mediated processes in murine AIP. The effects of CD4+ CD44high memory T cells are in accordance with genetic studies of our group, which had previously implicated this cell type into the pathogenesis of AIP. In follow-up studies, we will focus on the interplay of cellular and humoral autoimmunity in the context of AIP.

"If donors woke up tomorrow and said we can't fund you, what would we do?" A health system dynamics analysis of implementation of PMTCT option B+ in Uganda.

BACKGROUND: In October 2012 Uganda extended its prevention of mother to child HIV transmission (PMTCT) policy to Option B+, providing lifelong antiretroviral treatment for HIV positive pregnant and breastfeeding women. The rapid changes and adoptions of new PMTCT policies have not been accompanied by health systems research to explore health system preparedness to implement such programmes. The implementation of Option B+ provides many lessons which can inform the shift to 'Universal Test and Treat', a policy which many sub-Saharan African countries are preparing to adopt, despite fragile health systems. METHODS: This qualitative study of PMTCT Option B+ implementation in Uganda three years following the policy adoption, uses the health system dynamics framework to explore the impacts of this programme on ten elements of the health system. Qualitative data were gathered through rapid appraisal during in-country field work. Key informant interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) were undertaken with the Ministry of Health, implementing partners, multilateral agencies, district management teams, facility-based health workers and community cadres. A total of 82 individual interviews and 16 focus group discussions were completed. We conducted a simple manifest analysis, using the ten elements of a health system for grouping data into categories and themes. RESULTS: Of the ten elements in the health system dynamics framework, context and resources (finances, infrastructure & supplies, and human resources) were the most influential in the implementation of Option B+ in Uganda. Support from international actors and implementing partners attempted to strengthen resources at district level, but had unintended consequences of creating dependence and uncertainty regarding sustainability. CONCLUSIONS: The health system dynamics framework offers a novel approach to analysis of the effects of implementation of a new policy on critical elements of the health system. Its emphasis on relationships between system elements, population and context is helpful in unpacking impacts of and reactions to pressures on the system, which adds value beyond some previous frameworks.

Free dermal fat graft reconstruction of the head and neck: An alternate reconstructive option.

OBJECTIVES: Ablative procedures of the head and neck often result in significant facial and cervical irregularities and cosmetic asymmetry. The deformity resulting from ablative procedures of the head and neck is a significant source of cosmetic morbidity and postoperative dissatisfaction. Reconstruction of post-ablative defects in the head and neck can employ a broad range of techniques, ranging from primary closure to free tissue transfer. The free dermal fat graft (FDFG) is one such option and has been used to repair volume defects of varying sizes after common head and neck procedures such as parotidectomy. However, its use is largely undocumented in the literature. We seek to further illustrate the FDFG as an alternate method of reconstruction of head and neck defects. STUDY DESIGN: Non-randomized retrospective analysis. METHODS: The medical records of all patients who underwent primary autologous abdominal FDFG reconstruction of head and neck defects by a single surgeon at Vanderbilt University Medical Center from January 1997 to August 2010 were reviewed. All patients were called in order to assess their post-operative cosmetic satisfaction. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients were analyzed. Only three patients were found to have post-operative complications directly related to the FDFG. No complications were found at the donor site. Based on a telephone survey, the majority of patients were satisfied post-operatively with their cosmetic outcomes in the primary site and donor site. CONCLUSIONS: From our experience the FDFG is a cosmetically and functionally advantageous option for reconstruction of ablative procedures of the head and neck.

Remote orbital recurrence of olfactory neuroblastoma (esthesioneuroblastoma).

Olfactory neuroblastoma is a rare and often locally aggressive malignancy that invades the orbit via local destruction. It is known to recur in a delayed fashion, particularly to the neck lymph nodes. This is a case of a 65-year-old gentleman who presents with recurrence in the orbit and a neck lymph node 19 years after treatment for his initial disease. This report describes the longest known interval in orbital recurrence and should alert the monitoring physician that extreme delays in recurrence can occur.

Cranial neural crest deletion of VEGFa causes cleft palate with aberrant vascular and bone development.

Cleft palate is among the most common craniofacial congenital anomalies. Up to 30% of patients with cleft palate also have associated cardiac and vascular defects. VEGFa, a critical growth factor involved in multiple developmental processes including angiogenesis and ossification, is also required for palate development. Conditional deletion of VEGFa in cranial neural crest (CNC) cells using Wnt1-Cre (VEGFaCKO) resulted in cleft palate in mice. The phenotype included reduced proliferation of cells within the palatal shelves, abnormal palatal shelf elongation and elevation, and the inability to undergo fusion. Vascularization of the VEGFaCKO palatal shelves was greatly reduced, suggesting a non-cell autonomous role of VEGFa signaling from the CNC-derived cells to the endothelium during vessel formation. Defective vascular development was coupled with deficient intramembranous ossification of maxillary and palatal mesenchyme. In vitro assessment of CNC-derived palatal mesenchymal cells from VEGFaCKO mice demonstrated normal ossification after BMP2 stimulation, suggesting that inadequate expression of Bmp2 in VEGFaCKO mice was, in part, responsible for reduced ossification. Taken together, these data demonstrate that VEGFa produced in the CNC-derived mesenchyme drives proliferation, vascularization, and ossification, all of which are critical for palate development.

Goodstart: a cluster randomised effectiveness trial of an integrated, community-based package for maternal and newborn care, with prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in a South African township.

BACKGROUND: Progress towards MDG4 for child survival in South Africa requires effective prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV including increasing exclusive breastfeeding, as well as a new focus on reducing neonatal deaths. This necessitates increased focus on the pregnancy and early post-natal periods, developing and scaling up appropriate models of community-based care, especially to reach the peri-urban poor. METHODS: We used a randomised controlled trial with 30 clusters (15 in each arm) to evaluate an integrated, scalable package providing two pregnancy visits and five post-natal home visits delivered by community health workers in Umlazi, Durban, South Africa. Primary outcomes were exclusive and appropriate infant feeding at 12 weeks post-natally and HIV-free infant survival. RESULTS: At 12 weeks of infant age, the intervention was effective in almost doubling the rate of exclusive breastfeeding (risk ratio 1.92; 95% CI: 1.59-2.33) and increasing infant weight and length-for-age z-scores (weight difference 0.09; 95% CI: 0.00-0.18, length difference 0.11; 95% CI: 0.03-0.19). No difference was seen between study arms in HIV-free survival. Women in the intervention arm were also more likely to take their infant to the clinic within the first week of life (risk ratio 1.10; 95% CI: 1.04-1.18). CONCLUSIONS: The trial coincided with national scale up of ARVs for PMTCT, and this could have diluted the effect of the intervention on HIV-free survival. We have demonstrated that implementation of a pro-poor integrated PMTCT and maternal, neonatal and child health home visiting model is feasible and effective. This trial could inform national primary healthcare reengineering strategies in favour of home visits. The dose effect on exclusive breastfeeding is notable as improving exclusive breastfeeding has been resistant to change in other studies targeting urban poor families.

Building a sustainable free flap program in a resource-limited setting: A 12-year humanitarian effort.

BACKGROUND: We present a sustainable complex reconstructive program built through 12 years of surgical outreach work at Kijabe Hospital in Kenya. METHODS: Retrospective chart review and anecdotal experiences. RESULTS: In 2011, surgeons from a US-medical center performed Kijabe Hospital's first 3 successful free flap surgeries. Since then, they have returned 7 times, performing a total of 31 tumor excisions with microvascular reconstruction. One flap failure occurred that was reconstructed on a subsequent trip. In 2013, a US-trained missionary surgeon and a Kenyan-trained general surgeon began working with the visiting team with the goal of performing these surgeries independently. In 2016 they performed their first independent free flap reconstruction and have since performed 32 independent cases with only three flap losses. Establishing infrastructure, staff education, selective patient criteria, and continuous communication are the factors that enabled the success of this program. CONCLUSIONS: Establishing a successful microvascular reconstruction program in a resource-limited setting is feasible.

Same-Day Discharge for Pediatric Hemithyroidectomy Patients: Evaluating Safety and Barriers to Discharge.

OBJECTIVE: Hemithyroidectomy is often performed in the pediatric population for indeterminate or benign thyroid nodules. Prior studies confirmed the safety of same-day discharge for adults undergoing hemithyroidectomy or total thyroidectomy, but this has not been studied thoroughly in the pediatric population. Our goal was to determine differences in pediatric patients undergoing hemithyroidectomy who were admitted versus discharged for complications or factors to support same-day discharge. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. SETTING: Pediatric tertiary care hospital. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of pediatric patients (0-18 years of age) undergoing hemithyroidectomy at a pediatric tertiary care hospital from 2003 to 2022. Perioperative variables and outcomes were gathered via manual chart review. RESULTS: One hundred five pediatric patients who underwent hemithyroidectomy were identified. Ninety (86%) patients were admitted postoperatively, and 15 (14%) were discharged the same day. There were no differences in patient demographics, including age (P = 0.29) distance from the hospital (P = 0.08) or benign versus malignant pathology (P = 0.93). Surgical time in same-day discharges was significantly shorter (P = 0.0001; 138.6 minutes, SD = 66.0) versus admitted patients (204.2 minutes, SD = 48.6) Hemostatic agents were used more in same-day discharges at 53.3% versus 4.5% (P = 0.0001). Perioperative complications occurred in 2 (2.2%) admitted patients compared to none in the same-day discharge (P = 1.0). There were no readmissions within 30 days for same-day discharges. CONCLUSION: In pediatric patients undergoing uncomplicated hemithyroidectomy, same-day discharge appears appropriate for those with shorter surgical times and intraoperative use of hemostatic agents with no readmissions or complications in those discharged the same day.

How Often is Cancer Present in Oral Cavity Re-resections After Initial Positive Margins?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the rate at which carcinoma is present in the re-resection specimen following initial positive margins during head and neck cancer surgery and its impact on oncologic outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. METHODS: A single institution retrospective chart review of patients that underwent curative-intent surgery for oral cavity cancer was performed. Final pathology reports were reviewed to identify patients with initial positive margins who underwent re-resection during the same operation. Initial positive margin was defined as severe dysplasia, carcinoma in situ (CIS), or carcinoma. Cox proportional hazards and Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to assess for associations with survival outcomes. RESULTS: Among 1873 total patients, 190 patients (10.1%) had initial positive margins and underwent re-resection during the same surgery. Additional carcinoma, CIS, or severe dysplasia was found in 29% of re-resections, and 31% of patients with initial positive margins had final positive margins. Half of the patients with a final positive margin had a positive margin at an anatomic site different than the initial positive margin that was re-resected. The median follow-up was 636 days (range 230-1537). Re-resection with cancer and final positive margin status was associated with worse overall survival (OS; p = 0.044 and p = 0.05, respectively). However, only age, T4 disease, and surgery for recurrent oral cavity cancer were independently associated with OS (p < 0.001, p = 0.005, and p = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Fewer than a third of oral cavity re-resections contain further malignancy, which may suggest that surgeons have difficulty relocating the site of initial positive margin. Final positive margins are often at anatomic sites different than the initial positive margin. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 134:717-724, 2024.