KEY TAKEAWAYS
- The study aimed to compare patient populations, practice, and outcomes of skin cancer reconstruction by ENT and plastic surgeons.
- The results showed ENT facial plastic surgeons and plastic surgeons manage unique patient populations and employ different reconstructive techniques.
Surgeons specializing in ENT facial plastic surgery or plastic and reconstructive surgery typically perform reconstructive procedures after skin cancer resection.
Sarah Diaddigo and the team aimed to examine an extensive national database to contrast patient demographics, procedural practices, and outcomes in head, neck, and facial skin cancer reconstruction between the ENT facial plastic surgery and plastic and reconstructive surgery.
Researchers selected cases from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. Variables showing significant differences on univariate analysis were incorporated into a nominal logistic regression model. The dependent variables included experiencing at least one wound-specific complication, medical complication, or unplanned reoperation within 30 days.
Of 2850 cases, 61.36% were conducted by ENT surgeons. Surgical specialty did not emerge as a predictor of wound complications, medical complications, or unplanned reoperations. Multivariate analysis identified operative times exceeding 6 hours and anatomical location, particularly skin cancer of the nose, as predictors of adverse outcomes. Significant disparities were noted between the patient populations of the two specialties regarding demographics, comorbidities, and the anatomical location of the cancer defect.
The analysis indicated that reconstructive procedures following skin cancer removal are integral to the practices of both ENT facial plastic surgeons and plastic surgeons. There is no indication that surgical specialty correlates with adverse postoperative outcomes.
However, both specialties appear to cater to distinct patient populations and employ diverse reconstructive techniques, reflecting their individualized training and expertise. Adopting a multidisciplinary approach that capitalizes on the complementary skills of both specialties may enhance patient outcomes.
No funding information was available.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38556659/
Diaddigo S, Dagi A, Trujillo O. (2024) “Practice Patterns and Outcomes of Skin Cancer Reconstruction of the Head, Neck, and Face by Surgical Specialty: An NSQIP Analysis.” Ann Plast Surg. 2024 Apr 1;92(4S Suppl 2):S117-S122. doi: 10.1097/SAP.0000000000003850. PMID: 38556659.
