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The effect of pneumonia on short-term outcomes and cost of care after head and neck cancer surgery
The Laryngoscope, 07/11/2012
Semenov YR et al. – Postoperative pneumonia is associated with increased mortality, complications, length of hospitalization, and hospital–related costs in head and neck cancer (HNCA) surgical patients. Variables associated with an increased risk of pneumonia are inherent comorbidities in HNCA and known risk factors for ventilator–associated pneumonia (VAP), making this a high–risk group for this never event. Caution must be used in the institution of reforms that threaten to inadequately reimburse the provision of care to this vulnerable population. Aggressive preoperative identification and treatment of underlying pulmonary disease, weight loss, and dysphagia may reduce morbidity and mortality.
