Impact of Preoperative Weight Loss On Surgical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Glossectomies

This study evaluates recent weight loss as an independent risk factor for complications following glossectomy. This study was a retrospective database review. Data on glossectomies between 2012 and 2018 was collected from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database (N = 4565) and divided into 3 cohorts: partial (N = 2500), hemi (N = 636), and total (N = 1429) glossectomies. This population was stratified as patients who experienced recent weight loss and patients who did not. Postoperative complications rates between cohorts were compared using univariate and binary logistic regression analyses. Of the 3 cohorts, 2.4% of those undergoing partial, 5.8% of those underdoing hemi, and 10.7% of those undergoing total glossectomies had major preoperative weight loss. Patients who experienced recent weight loss prior to their procedure had significantly higher rates of overall and surgical postoperative complication as well as elevated rated of bleeding in all 3 cohorts. Weight loss conferred increased risk for unplanned readmission in those who had hemi-glossectomies (OR 3.07, p = 0.044). Recent weight loss prior to glossectomy increases the risk for postoperative complications and may elevate rates of bleeding requiring transfusion, surgical complications, and overall complications. As such, weight loss should be noted and considered to minimize morbidity in postoperative patients.