Serum Albumin Levels Pre-Operatively and Post-Operatively As Predications of Wound Healing In Head and Neck Cancer

Wazir Fairoze  Ahmad; Faisal Manzoor; Shahzaib Shaukat; Rao Tahir; Rahat Kalsoom; Hareem Azhar

doi:10.51253/pafmj.v76iSUPPL-8.12042

Authors

Wazir Fairoze Ahmad Department of ENT, Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Faisal Manzoor Department of ENT, Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Shahzaib Shaukat Department of ENT, Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Rao Tahir Department of ENT, Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Rahat Kalsoom Department of ENT, Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Hareem Azhar Department of ENT, Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v76iSUPPL-8.12042

Keywords:

Hypoalbuminemia; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Serum Albumin, Wound Healing

Abstract

Objective: To determine the serum albumin levels, pre-operatively and post-operatively as predictors of wound healing in head and neck cancer.

Study Design: Prospective analytical study

Place and Duration of Study: Department of ENT, CMH Rawalpindi, Pakistan from Apr 2023 to Sep 2023.

Methodology: Sixty-seven individuals, diagnosed with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) were included. A week before surgery, blood work including serum albumin levels, and body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) were all assessed. Both males and females between 40-70 years who were diagnosed with carcinoma of the oral cavity and underwent surgical resection, were included, while individuals with chronic liver diseases were excluded from this study.

Results: Of 67 patients 58 (86%) were males while 9 (14%) were females. The study found a significant association between preoperative and postoperative albumin levels (p<0.001) and wound infection, which shows that patients with serum albumin levels <28 exhibit a higher rate of wound infection compared to those with levels ≥28. Other factors such as diabetes mellitus (p=0.379), cancer stage (0.367), recurrence (p=0.65), and did not show significant associations with postoperative wound infection

Conclusion: Preoperative and postoperative hypoalbuminemia are effective markers representing the onset of severe complications following surgery in head and neck cancer patients.