ArticlePloS one2025
The impact of postoperative glucocorticoids on complications after head and neck cancer surgery with free flap reconstruction: A retrospective study.
Article in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- Risk Factors for Catastrophic Health Events in Head and Neck Cancer: A Scoping Review to Inform Risk Prediction.Cancers · 2026Review
- Mythbusters in Microsurgery: Evaluating Evidence and Debunking Dogma-A Practical Review: Part I.Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open · 2026Review
- Risk Factors for a Systemic Inflammatory Response After Major Oral Cancer Surgery with Microvascular Free Flap Reconstruction: An Exploratory Retrospective Analysis.Journal of inflammation research · 2026Article
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3 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundAfter head and neck cancer surgery with free flap reconstruction, the use of glucocorticoids is often required to alleviate inflammation and edema. However, the impact of glucocorticoid on postoperative complications and cancer progression remains unclear.
methodsThis retrospective cohort study included 711 elderly patients who underwent head and neck cancer surgery with free flap reconstruction at Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2022. Patients were categorized based on postoperative glucocorticoid usage into a high-dose steroid group (n = 307) and a control group (n = 404). The study focused on the impact of postoperative GC use on postoperative complications and long-term oncological outcomes.
resultsMultivariate analysis indicated that compared to the control group, the high-dose steroid group had a significant increase in postoperative complications, including atelectasis (OR: 3.83, 95% CI: 1.27-14.11, P = 0.025), postoperative hyperglycemia (OR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.14-2.08, P = 0.006), and flap complications (OR: 4.61, 95% CI: 3.31-6.47, P < 0.001). These complications often required extended hospital stays (β: 1.656, 95% CI: 1.075-2.236, P < 0.001). Additionally, the high-dose steroid group had a higher rate of unplanned readmissions within one year (OR: 5.61, 95% CI: 3.87-8.25, P < 0.001). The increased readmission rates were notably due to difficulties swallowing requiring percutaneous gastrostomy (OR: 3.62, 95% CI: 1.97-6.98, P < 0.001), recurrence (OR: 9.34, 95% CI: 5.02-19.05, P < 0.001), and metastasis (OR: 4.78, 95% CI: 2.58-9.44, P < 0.001).
conclusionThe use of high-dose postoperative glucocorticoids is associated with increased postoperative complications, higher readmission rates, and poorer oncological outcomes in patients. The results advocate for cautious use and dosage management of perioperative glucocorticoids in head and neck surgeries to optimize patient outcomes.
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