Association of prealbumin with complications after total laryngectomy with free flap reconstruction

• Published in: American journal of otolaryngology 2024-11, Vol.45 (6), p.104451, Article 104451
• Main Authors: Tang, Anthony, Dang, Sophia, Lao, Isabella, Pandya, Sumaarg, Solari, Mario G., Maxwell, Jessica, Contrera, Kevin J., Zevallos, Jose P., Ferris, Robert, Kim, Seungwon, Sridharan, Shaum, Spector, Matthew E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Female; Free Tissue Flaps; Head and Neck Neoplasms - surgery; Humans; Laryngectomy - adverse effects; Larynx cancer; Male; Malnutrition - etiology; Middle Aged; Nutrition; Plastic Surgery Procedures - adverse effects; Plastic Surgery Procedures - methods; Postoperative Complications - etiology; Prealbumin; Prealbumin - metabolism; Prognosis; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Total laryngectomy; Wound Healing
• ISSN: 0196-0709; 1532-818X; 1532-818X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2024.104451

Malnutrition is an important risk factor for patient surgical outcomes. This is especially true for head and neck cancer (HNC) patients receiving a total laryngectomy with free flap reconstruction (TLwFFR). Preoperative prealbumin and albumin values have both been used to indicate poor nutrition. This study aims to identify the prognostic value of preoperative prealbumin and albumin levels with wound healing complications in HNC patients after TLwFFR. A retrospective review was conducted in all HNC patients who underwent TLwFFR from 2016 to 2022 at a tertiary-care institution. Patients with either preoperative (within 1 month of surgery) prealbumin or albumin lab values were included. Low preoperative prealbumin (low prealbumin) levels and low preoperative albumin (low albumin) levels were defined as ≤20 mg/dL and