RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Handgrip Strength Predicts Poorly the Surgical Outcome or Length of Hospitalization in Patients With Surgically Operated Oral Cancer
JF Anticancer Research
JO Anticancer Res
FD International Institute of Anticancer Research
SP 2771
OP 2774
DO 10.21873/anticanres.15756
VO 42
IS 5
A1 JUHO SUOJANEN
A1 SATU KAINULAINEN
A1 LAURA TARVAINEN
A1 JYRKI TORNWALL
A1 TOMMY WILKMAN
YR 2022
UL http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/42/5/2771.abstract
AB Background/Aim: Handgrip strength has been used to evaluate the potential of elderly patients to survive different medical conditions or procedures, or to predict the nutritional status and length of hospitalization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of handgrip strength as a predictor of the length of hospitalization and need for prolonged intensive care in patients with oral malignancies requiring surgical resection and simultaneous primary reconstruction with microvascular free flap. Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective study of 37 head and neck carcinoma patients operated between 2012 and 2014 who had undergone a handgrip force test. The microvascular free flaps used were: radial forearm flap (n=23), anterolateral thigh flap (n=10), and iliac crest free flap (n=4). Results: Average stay at the hospital was 13.3 days after the operation and there was a 2.9-days need for intensive care. Handgrip strength did not predict susceptibility to complications, duration of hospitalization, or 12-month survival in the study population. Conclusion: Other anamnestic and medical factors and not handgrip strength should be considered when evaluating operability of the patient or their individual risks for microvascular reconstruction.