The incidence of respiratory infections in patients undergoing major oral cavity and maxillary and mandibular resections with free flap reconstruction for head and neck cancer
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to analyse respiratory infection rates (RI) in a representative cohort and evaluate if tumour size, pre-existing respiratory co-morbidities, smoking history, and tracheostomy predicted postoperative infection. METHODS: A retrospective observational study at a London tertiary head and neck oncology centre reviewed six years of patient data. BMJ Best Practice guidelines for hospital-acquired pneumonia (2022) were applied to medical records alongside postoperative RI prescriptions. RESULTS: RI occurred in 32% of patients, more often in those with tracheostomy (36%) than intubation (12%). Infected patients were older (p=0.025), had tracheostomy (p=0.045), and underwent bilateral neck dissection (p
Fields of Study & Subjects
Head and Neck Cancer Studies
Nosocomial Infections in ICU
Otolaryngology and Infectious Diseases
Publication details
- Journal / source
- The Journal of Laryngology & Otology
- Volume
- 140
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 438–443
- Publication date
- 18 February 2026
- Language
- EN