Neck dissection does not add to morbidity or mortality of laryngectomy

OBJECTIVES: To examine the national rates of complications, readmission, reoperation, death and length of hospital stay after laryngectomy. To explore the risks of neck dissection with laryngectomy using outcomes. METHODS: The American College of Surgeons National Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database was reviewed retrospectively. The database was analyzed for patients undergoing laryngectomy with and without neck dissection. Demographic, perioperative complication, reoperation, readmission, and death variables were analyzed. RESULTS: 754 patients who underwent total laryngectomy during this time were found. Demographic analysis showed average age was 63 years old, 566 (75.1%) were white, and 598 (79.3%) were male. Of these patients, 520 (69.0%) included a neck dissection while 234 (31.0%) did not. When comparing patients who received a neck dissection to those who did not, there were no significant differences in median length of hospital stay (12.5 days w/vs. 13.3 days w/o, P = 0.99), rates of complication (40% w/vs. 35% w/o, P = 0.23), reoperation (13.5% w/vs. 14% w/o, P = 0.81), readmission (14% w/vs. 18% w/o, P = 0.27), and death (1.3% w/vs. 1.3% w/o, P > 0.99). Furthermore, neck dissection did not increase the risk of complication (P = 0.23), readmission (P = 0.27), reoperation (P = 0.81), death (P = 0.94), or lengthened hospital stay (P = 0.38). CONCLUSIONS: Concurrent neck dissection does not increase postoperative morbidity or mortality in patients undergoing total laryngectomies. These results may help physicians make decisions regarding concurrent neck dissection with total laryngectomy.