The Effect of Nasogastric Feeding after Surgery in Patients with Head and Neck Cancers – Retrospective Single Center Experience

Abstract

This study aimed to assess clinical factors that could predict the need for nasogastric feeding after surgery in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) and evaluate the effect of tube feeding on selected laboratory parameters. This single-center retrospective study included 153 patients who underwent surgery for HNC. Data on patient and tumor characteristics were collected, along with laboratory measurements. Logistic regression was used to identify the predictors of the need for nasogastric feeding. Laboratory parameters were compared between patients who required nasogastric feeding vs those who did not. Nasogastric feeding was required in 90 patients (59%). Significant predictors of nasogastric feeding in HNC patients after surgery, which were revealed by univariate regression analysis, included low body mass index (odds ratio [OR] = 0.84), squamous cell carcinoma histology (OR = 8.05), T2 tumor stage (OR = 2.27), red blood cell count (M/µL) (OR = 0.44), hemoglobin levels (g/dL) (OR = 0.80), and mean corpuscular volume (fL) (OR = 1.10). Multivariate analysis showed that low BMI (OR = 0.87) and red blood cell count (M/µL) (OR = 0.32) were prognostic factors for nasogastric feeding. A significant percentage increase in white blood cell count from admission to discharge was noted in patients who required nasogastric feeding vs those who did not (p = 0.003). Determining factors that predict the need for nasogastric feeding in HNC patients after surgery may support more personalized treatment planning to optimize clinical outcomes.