Predictors of gastrostomy tube dependence in surgically managed oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Objectives: To elucidate predictive factors in the perioperative period resulting in gastrostomy tube (G-tube) dependence for patients undergoing primary surgical treatment of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) in the modern era.
Methods: Two hundred and thirty patients with known OPSCC treated with primary surgery were screened and selected from a retrospective database spanning from 2002 to 2012 at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (Columbus, Ohio), with univariable and multivariable logistic regression modeling used to determine independent predictive factors resulting in G-tube dependence (defined as tube persistence/presence 1 year after surgery).
Results: Surgical approach, baseline characteristics, tumor (T)-nodal-metastasis stage, human papillomavirus status, extent of tissue resected, surgical complications, reconstructive technique, preoperative G-tube presence, and adjuvant treatment were recorded. Patients undergoing open surgery for OPSCC without adjuvant treatment had 42.9% G-tube dependence (44.6% with adjuvant chemoradiation [CRT]) compared to 0% for those undergoing transoral nonrobotic surgery (8.1% with adjuvant CRT) and 0% for those undergoing transoral robotic surgery (10.3% with adjuvant CRT). In multivariable analysis, greater than 25% of the oral tongue resected (odds ratio [OR] 12.29; P = 0.03), an open surgical approach (OR 5.72; P < 0.01) and T3/T4 tumor stage (OR 2.84; P = 0.02) were independent and significant predictors of G-tube dependence.
Conclusion: Surgical approach, advanced tumor stage, and oral tongue resection may influence the development of nutritional dependence for surgically treated patients with OPSCC.
Level of Evidence: 4 Laryngoscope, 129:415-421, 2019.
(© 2018 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.)