Adverse Airway Events Following Head and Neck Cancer Reconstruction Without Elective Tracheostomy.
Otolaryngol Head Neck SurgMay 22, 2026 (epub)
Ting-Chia Young, Tsung-You Tsai, Kai-Chieh Chan
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined adverse airway events (AAEs) in 5,987 patients with head and neck cancer reconstruction managed without elective tracheostomy (ET). The study found a pooled AAE incidence of 10.3%. Key predictors of AAEs included tumor location and bilateral neck dissection, while ET was linked to increased postoperative complications.
Key findings
- The pooled AAE incidence in patients managed without ET was 10.3% (95% CI, 6.7%-15.6%).
- Tumors of the floor-of-mouth had an odds ratio (OR) of 5.96 for higher AAE risk.
- Bilateral neck dissection was associated with an OR of 6.36 for increased AAE odds.
- ET was linked to a mean difference of 5.86 days in time to oral feeding.
Why it matters
Understanding the predictors of AAEs in head and neck cancer patients can help clinicians identify high-risk individuals and make informed decisions regarding the use of elective tracheostomy, balancing airway safety with potential postoperative complications.