The impact of early oral feeding following head and neck free flap reconstruction on complications and length of stay.
Oral Oncol
; 113: 105094, 2021 02.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33242736
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Although the concept of maintaining a period of 'nil by mouth' following head and neck reconstruction is commonly held ideas on delaying function have changed dramatically since the introduction of peri-operative care recovery programmes. This study sought to evaluate the outcomes of early feeding on patients undergoing free flap reconstruction of oral defects with particular emphasis on post-operative complications and length of stay.METHODS:
Data was gathered prospectively on two cohorts of patients treated in a tertiary referral centre comparing those undergoing a five-day post-operative period of 'nil by mouth' with a second group in which the aim was to start fluids and soft diet on the day following surgery. Complications and length of stay were evaluated.RESULTS:
Both early and late feeding groups comprised of 200 patients. No significant differences were observed in terms of age, gender, smoking and alcohol use or tumour T and N stages between the two groups. 8% of patients had complications at the recipient site but no difference was observed in the rates of flap dehiscence or fistula formation between the two groups. Early feeding was associated with a statistically reduced length of hospital stay (mean 11.6 days vs 20.6 days, p < 0.01).CONCLUSIONS:
Early oral feeding following head and neck free flap reconstruction is not associated with an increase incidence of peri-operative complications but reduces hospital stay. The latter may have far-reaching implications for patients' physical and psychological well-being in addition to health care resources.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Nutrição Enteral
/
Procedimentos de Cirurgia Plástica
/
Neoplasias de Cabeça e Pescoço
Limite:
Adolescent
/
Adult
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Aged
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Aged80
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2021
Tipo de documento:
Article